Children in turmoil

Childhood is a fleeting reality that slips through the cracks of a sometimes tumultuous world. When it deviates from its "normal" trajectory, it makes a noise called "delinquency", a muffled but sometimes heart-rending and dramatic noise. The term "juvenile delinquency" misrepresents the experience and cruel situations experienced by children. The path of torment begins very early on, often unbeknownst to parents, school and community. It only comes to light thanks to a catastrophe that heralds problems: failure at school, a shameful attitude or a crime. So what can be done to save these children? Because once a child has been labelled a "delinquent", he or she theoretically loses more than half of his or her capital of opportunity and, in fact, all of his or her status as a child. An uncertain future of rejection and failure lies ahead. It is my hope that this book will provoke not compassion, but reflection on the social and educational practice of children. This book is aimed at policy-makers, program managers, practitioners and parents keen to better understand the phenomenon of juvenile delinquency.