In a society that values children, there can be no disposable kids. This sentinel youth advocacy publication is based on the experiences of the authors who served as three successive presidents of Starr Commonwealth spanning over four decades. Each chapter begins with an installment of the road to resilience in the life story of the 10-year-old boy who set fire to Our Lady of Angels school in Chicago, the most destructive youth violence ever with the loss of 92 students and 3 nuns. Traditional punitive interventions in schools and courts, as well as flaw-finding treatment, are both described as failed approaches rooted in reactive pessimism. This book is grounded in Circle of Courage principles and the belief that in a society which values children, there can be no disposable kids. By reframing rebellious acts as signs of resilience, the authors uncover the natural self-righting tendencies of youth facing adverse circumstances. No Disposable Kids presents a fresh alternative of creating powerful environments where all youth can thrive.
Solution Tree (2005). 214 pages.
Reviews
“This book is a plea for a society that will value its children, looking for ways to build on their strengths, relying on neither ego-stripping “rehabilitation” or retributive punishment.”
—Joan Braune, Reclaiming Children and Youth
“A wealth of information for those invested in reclaiming our most challenging youths. The format of No Disposable Kids makes it a quick, yet powerful read. Its lack of jargon makes it widely accessible to all who feel compelled to serve in the lives of young people. It gives readers a point of departure for a task that might seem daunting. With its practical content and extensive references, this text serves as a valuable resource for seeing challenges as opportunities.”
—Kate Barclay, Behavioral Disorders