The Battle for Children - World War II, Youth Crime, and Juvenile Justice in Twentieth-Century France

The Battle for Children links two major areas of historical inquiry: crime and delinquency with war and social change. In a study based on impressive archival research, Sarah Fishman reveals the impact of the Vichy regime on one of history's most silent groups--children--and offers enlightening new information about the Vichy administration. Fishman examines how French children experienced the events of war and the German occupation, demonstrating that economic deprivation, not family dislocation, drove up juvenile crime rates. Wartime circumstances led authorities to view delinquent minors as victims, and provided the opportunity for reformers in psychiatry, social work, and law to transform France's punitive juvenile justice system into a profoundly therapeutic one. Vichy-era legislation thus formed the foundation of the modern juvenile justice system in France, which rarely incarcerates delinquent youth.

About the author

Sarah Fishman is Professor of History and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Houston.

Summary

The Battle for Children links two major areas of historical inquiry: crime and delinquency with war and social change. In a study based on impressive archival research, Fishman reveals the impact of the Vichy regime on one of history’s most silent groups—children—and offers enlightening new information about the Vichy administration.

Product details

• Authors: Sarah Fishman, Fishman Sarah
• Publisher: University Presses
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 09.07.2002
• EAN: 9780674007550
• ISBN: 978-0-674-00755-0
• Weight: 608 g
• Illustrations: 1 line illustration, 1 table
• Series: Harvard Historical Studies; Harvard Historical Studies (Ha; Harvard Historical Studies
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; Postwar 20th century history, from c 1945 to c 2000, European History, HISTORY / Military / General, HISTORY / Europe / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Penology, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Children's Studies, Second World War, Later 20th century c 1950 to c 1999, c 1938 to c 1946 (World War Two period), Age groups: children, Modern warfare, c 1939 to c 1945 (including WW2), Juvenile offenders, c 1945 to c 2000 (Post-war period), HISTORY / Wars & Conflicts / World War II / General