Children in Need
- Author:
Melitta Schmideberg, M.D.
(Berlin). Introduction by Edward Clove, M.D. George Allen & Unwin Ltd., for Psychological and Social Series Ltd. 12s. 6d.
In her book Children in Need, Dr Schmideberg reminds us once again of the plight of our deprived children, of the conditions under which our problem families live, and of the far from ideal conditions in some of our institutions.
Few would disagree with her when she states that children should be helped in their homes rather than be sent to institutions or their mothers sent to prison, and that those who are sent away should be placed in the most suitable foster home or institution. The scope of the problem, as Dr Schmideberg sees it, is vast. She estimates that there are about “half a million neglected children ” in the country who have ” almost no chance of growing up into happy and self-respecting citizens Recognizing as she does that many of these children come from homes in which poverty, mental defect, apathy and general inadequacy all play a part, she still seems to imagine that the problem could be solved by the provision of more Child Guidance Clinics, more psychotherapy for parents and more social workers. The families which Dr Schmideberg is discussing are on the whole the most time-consuming and least responsive group in our society. Attempts to improve them have been and are being made. The problem is not a new one arising out of the war. It has been well known to social workers and reformers for many years, but it seems doubtful whether an army of skilled workers would be able to eradicate it. There are, undoubtedly, bad institutions, apathetic officials, uninformed magistrates and mishandled children, but without being complacent there is surely some justification for hoping that with the appointment of children’s officers, improved social services and growing public concern, there may in the near future be fewer neglected children and that those who are in need will be better cared for. C.H-S.
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