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Born, Not Raised: Voices from Juvenile Hall
In the final volume of her trilogy on interlinked social issues, Susan Madden Lankford explores the troubled psyches of young people incarcerated in Juvenile Hall. The perspectives of psychiatrists, neuroscientists, and experts in the field of juvenile justice— combined with striking contributions elicited from the youths themselves—underscore the social and neurobiological impacts of childhood trauma.
Born, Not Raised aims to have a dramatic impact on social policy with its powerful call to action for educators, social workers, psychologists, criminal justice and corrections professionals, as well as parents and parents-to-be. At the heart of Lankford’s work is the conviction that early education and youth development are the most effective strategies for breaking the cycle of at-risk behavior and helping our country’s youth thrive.
Born, Not Raised aims to have a dramatic impact on social policy with its powerful call to action for educators, social workers, psychologists, criminal justice and corrections professionals, as well as parents and parents-to-be. At the heart of Lankford’s work is the conviction that early education and youth development are the most effective strategies for breaking the cycle of at-risk behavior and helping our country’s youth thrive.
203 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2012
166 people want to read
About the author
Susan Madden Lankford
5 books7 followersSusan Lankford grew up in the Midwest and holds a BS degree from the University of Nebraska. She attended Ansel Adams' prestigious workshops, studied under such photographic masters as Richard Misrach and Ruth Bernhard, and spent many years as a successful wildlife photographer and portraitist. The parents of three adult daughters, Susan and Rob Lankford live in San Diego.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 9, 2012
This book and the two others of the trilogy, Maggots in my Sweet Potatoes and DownTown U.S.A, should be required reading for anyone who knows people, judges people, cares about, pities or disdains people, those people being the marginalized of our society.
In this newest book, Susan and daughter Polly tackle the prickly problem of teens who are living in Juvenile Hall, essentially prison for children. Ms. Lankford's photography is astounding. Her writing is beautiful. But most importantly, she lets the people she and Polly interview speak for themselves.
She has asked some of these teens to write stories or write about themselves or answer questionnaires. That she printed the actual written responses made these writings all the more powerful. Poor penmanship (I can relate), bad grammar, misspellings, even the occasional i dotted with little a circle as so many teen girls do, but lots and lots of heart and honesty. Violence, heartbreak, hardened shells hiding broken children, it's all there for the reading.
Unlike the other books, this one does not have photos of the children interviewed because despite the horrible things some of them have done, they are still children. The photos in the book, both those taken by Ms. Lankford and those taken by others and used for children to write about, are perfect.
This trilogy is so full of compassion and understanding without crossing that treacherous line into being maudlin. The author doesn't excuse the behavior but explains it. When I read the first book, Maggots in My Sweet Potatoes, about incarcerated women, I was very impressed but I doubted Ms. Lankford's ability to live up to that first book. Silly me. The second, DownTown U.S.A., affected me even more. By the time I got to this book, I expected great things and I was not disappointed. I highly recommend it as well as the other two.
I was lucky to receive a copy of this book from the author. I almost wish I hadn't because of the possibility that readers will think my review is so positive because I got something free. I would be gushing just as much about this book even if I'd spent my own hard-earned dollars for it. I'm an unabashed fan.
In this newest book, Susan and daughter Polly tackle the prickly problem of teens who are living in Juvenile Hall, essentially prison for children. Ms. Lankford's photography is astounding. Her writing is beautiful. But most importantly, she lets the people she and Polly interview speak for themselves.
She has asked some of these teens to write stories or write about themselves or answer questionnaires. That she printed the actual written responses made these writings all the more powerful. Poor penmanship (I can relate), bad grammar, misspellings, even the occasional i dotted with little a circle as so many teen girls do, but lots and lots of heart and honesty. Violence, heartbreak, hardened shells hiding broken children, it's all there for the reading.
Unlike the other books, this one does not have photos of the children interviewed because despite the horrible things some of them have done, they are still children. The photos in the book, both those taken by Ms. Lankford and those taken by others and used for children to write about, are perfect.
This trilogy is so full of compassion and understanding without crossing that treacherous line into being maudlin. The author doesn't excuse the behavior but explains it. When I read the first book, Maggots in My Sweet Potatoes, about incarcerated women, I was very impressed but I doubted Ms. Lankford's ability to live up to that first book. Silly me. The second, DownTown U.S.A., affected me even more. By the time I got to this book, I expected great things and I was not disappointed. I highly recommend it as well as the other two.
I was lucky to receive a copy of this book from the author. I almost wish I hadn't because of the possibility that readers will think my review is so positive because I got something free. I would be gushing just as much about this book even if I'd spent my own hard-earned dollars for it. I'm an unabashed fan.
April 17, 2012
I'm gonna need about a hundred more copies of this book. As a person who is currently transitioning from being a Chemical Dependency Social Worker to being a Children's Mental Health Social Worker, I found it incredibly timely and useful for me to receive this book at this time. The insight into the contributing factors and developmental arrests that lead to juvenile incarceration and dependency on the system was remarkable. The sadness the reader feels as discovering the thoughts and dreams, however stunted, these kids have chosen to share is heartbreaking. One can tell that just by listening to these kids, the author and her daughter have made a difference in their lives, which just goes to show how needy these kids are and how little it would really take to help them be successful. Unfortunately in our society, enough importance is not placed here, where it should be. Politicians pay a lot of lip service to "children are our future" but then funnel the dollars to back up that statement every other place possible. This book would go a long way to raise awareness if every elected leader would just read it.
The only, tiny thing I could possibly take issue with is that there is not enough prescriptive at the end towards what can be done to fix the system. I realize this isn't a handbook for providers, and that the intent is to raise awareness, but I think even a layperson could use a little more information about how the needs of these children could be met.
Overall, a very important book that everyone, in the field or not, should read. It should inspire you to become a Kinship Partner or a Big Brother/Big Sister at the very least.
The only, tiny thing I could possibly take issue with is that there is not enough prescriptive at the end towards what can be done to fix the system. I realize this isn't a handbook for providers, and that the intent is to raise awareness, but I think even a layperson could use a little more information about how the needs of these children could be met.
Overall, a very important book that everyone, in the field or not, should read. It should inspire you to become a Kinship Partner or a Big Brother/Big Sister at the very least.
March 22, 2016
Deep book. Moreso than I had expected.
I had thought in picking this up that I would see some stories, maybe some pictures from kids in juvenile detention. I hadn't expected the psychology - so deep at times, and then so well explained - that would give this book so much depth. And would teach me so much.
I find myself fascinated by the accounts. And motivated to want to do something to make a difference in the lives of young people who are all hurting so much.
I guess I find this a little bit daunting. Some of these youth are already hardened criminals at such a young age. But how can you read such a thing and walk away, unchanged?
This is the beginning of our journey into foster care. I hadn't expected this book to have anything at all to do with the research I've been doing in preparation to opening our home to youth in crises. Here, something that caught my eye and that I'd picked up randomly, lent something important to my studies, and opened my eyes to things that maybe I'd shied away from. I'm thankful to the author for creating this book. And thankful as well that I'd felt that nudge and obeyed in picking it up.
I had thought in picking this up that I would see some stories, maybe some pictures from kids in juvenile detention. I hadn't expected the psychology - so deep at times, and then so well explained - that would give this book so much depth. And would teach me so much.
I find myself fascinated by the accounts. And motivated to want to do something to make a difference in the lives of young people who are all hurting so much.
I guess I find this a little bit daunting. Some of these youth are already hardened criminals at such a young age. But how can you read such a thing and walk away, unchanged?
This is the beginning of our journey into foster care. I hadn't expected this book to have anything at all to do with the research I've been doing in preparation to opening our home to youth in crises. Here, something that caught my eye and that I'd picked up randomly, lent something important to my studies, and opened my eyes to things that maybe I'd shied away from. I'm thankful to the author for creating this book. And thankful as well that I'd felt that nudge and obeyed in picking it up.
June 3, 2012
[This is an excerpt from my Blogger review on Andi's Book Reviews.]
Susan Madden Lankford earned herself access to the inside of these facilities, to bring about more awareness. Her black and white photography emphasizes the loneliness and the pain of being inside them. To make it even more emotional, she includes reactions and handwritten notes from the some of the incarcerated kids. Your heartstrings are tugged as you realize how confusing it is for them and how they struggle to find the right kind of help. She also includes interviews with some of the kids, as well as many of the professionals who work with them.
Many of these kids have great potential, which Lankford attempts to highlight as she includes their stories and essays written as sort of assignments. On the flipside, many of these kids are depressed and feel that they will never be able to change their lives. They have been conditioned to believe there is no hope. When they are released from Juvey, they often end up going right back to the place from which they came and those problems rear their ugly heads all over again. It becomes an endless cycle.
Lankford also spends some time discussing these children with other professionals, such as psychologists. They discuss the impacts of the family situations, based on current psychological research. It really is a sobering picture.
Questions are asked that demand answers. What those answers are, you will not not find in this book. Instead, this feels like a call to action for both the juvenile halls and society in general.
Susan Madden Lankford earned herself access to the inside of these facilities, to bring about more awareness. Her black and white photography emphasizes the loneliness and the pain of being inside them. To make it even more emotional, she includes reactions and handwritten notes from the some of the incarcerated kids. Your heartstrings are tugged as you realize how confusing it is for them and how they struggle to find the right kind of help. She also includes interviews with some of the kids, as well as many of the professionals who work with them.
Many of these kids have great potential, which Lankford attempts to highlight as she includes their stories and essays written as sort of assignments. On the flipside, many of these kids are depressed and feel that they will never be able to change their lives. They have been conditioned to believe there is no hope. When they are released from Juvey, they often end up going right back to the place from which they came and those problems rear their ugly heads all over again. It becomes an endless cycle.
Lankford also spends some time discussing these children with other professionals, such as psychologists. They discuss the impacts of the family situations, based on current psychological research. It really is a sobering picture.
Questions are asked that demand answers. What those answers are, you will not not find in this book. Instead, this feels like a call to action for both the juvenile halls and society in general.
February 12, 2017
This book provides matter-of-fact observations of what we do with the most disadvantaged of our youth, those who are thrown into the juvenile systems. It's not pretty or hopeful. The book is so valuable and so needed that I gave it 5 stars. The writing and structure, maybe 4.
I expected the book would be mostly stories of the locked-up kids. It has plenty of that, but it also includes a lot on psycho-social development. The author goes over the effects of abuse and neglect on children, starting in early childhood, and the cascading effects of not being able to get through early childhood milestones as the child gets older. She passes fairly lightly over the subject of kids who also have learning and other mental disabilities, which likely most of these kids do; that alone could fill several books.
The author has no power to make things change, other than writing this book. Her visits to the locked-up kids were ended by a new (and less compassionate) person in authority. She was there to write her book, but it's obvious that her visits helped the kids. And it's obvious that San Diego (probably in one of the richer and more progressive areas of the country) has a severe lack of programs that would help kids even as much as random visitors bearing questionnaires did. Very sad. Plus we are spending much more to keep locking these kids up, as they grow up and keep returning to prisons, than it would cost to intervene while they are young and still more capable of change.
I expected the book would be mostly stories of the locked-up kids. It has plenty of that, but it also includes a lot on psycho-social development. The author goes over the effects of abuse and neglect on children, starting in early childhood, and the cascading effects of not being able to get through early childhood milestones as the child gets older. She passes fairly lightly over the subject of kids who also have learning and other mental disabilities, which likely most of these kids do; that alone could fill several books.
The author has no power to make things change, other than writing this book. Her visits to the locked-up kids were ended by a new (and less compassionate) person in authority. She was there to write her book, but it's obvious that her visits helped the kids. And it's obvious that San Diego (probably in one of the richer and more progressive areas of the country) has a severe lack of programs that would help kids even as much as random visitors bearing questionnaires did. Very sad. Plus we are spending much more to keep locking these kids up, as they grow up and keep returning to prisons, than it would cost to intervene while they are young and still more capable of change.
September 4, 2012
This book should be required reading for anyone who works with children. Teachers, social workers, guidance counselors, doctors and nurses, foster parents, church workers, and anyone who cares about children will benefit from reading this book. This is not a fun read, but it is very educational and will leave you wanting to help children in some way, shape, or form. These kids, whose drawings and writings are shown throughout the book, are all crying out for love, guidance, and acceptance. Ms. Lankford does a wonderful job of showing us the feelings and reasoning behind the lives of these children.
December 11, 2013
This is an excellent book about the juvenile justice system and the psychological effects of poverty and abuse upon children therein. As a teacher of many students who face similar issues, I found this book an enlightening, thoughtful introduction to an often overlooked aspect of our social services.
January 25, 2016
A really sad but true look at the lives of those inside Juvenile Hall - especially those frequent fliers.
Read
January 19, 2020Review to follow.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews