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By: WHANG 023
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2025-03-14 22:33:43 |
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The last review was 2019 and this makes only the 4th review which is a bit of a shame as this is an important book in terms of NZ social history. Soon, there will be no-one left alive who endured time in "boys homes" in NZ. Based on the Epuni Boys Home in the Hutt Valley but it could apply equally to any of the 26 childrens' homes that existed from the 1950's to the 1980's. Whilst started as a way to provide kids from dysfunctional homes with some stability and education they eventually morphed into puntive institutions that actually did more harm than good. Institutionalising thousand of boys for their eventual journey to prison. Using ECT as punishment and providing havens for pedophiles, sadly we are only too familiar with this story. However, the book does lay out how and why these places were established. Improbable as it seems now (/s) it kinda all starts with a media beat up about juvenile delinquency in the US which spread around the western world to unsettle the post war complacency. Like many other social phenomena, once defined it is rapidly found everywhere and a solution is required immediately. It was (obviously) the fault of the parents so the obvious solution was to remove those kids from their home and family to a place where their errant behaviour could be corrected and punished. For the good of the children of course. Echoing similar events in other lands these children could be uplifted and removed with no real oversight and there was nothing the parents could do. One day a knock on the door and the boy is removed to a place where the parents had virtually no access. The book is written by a man that went through this system but defying the odds went to become a journalist and lead a fulfilling life. Many of his fellow detainees committed suicide, took to drink and drugs to self-medicate from the trauma inflicted by these institutions. Such as sad story but well worth a read. |
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By: COOKS 001
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2024-12-03 06:50:09 |
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Most members found the book difficult to read, not only due to the content but the writing style. The topic created some robust discussions about young people in care today and we wondered if much had changed. |
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By: CART 001
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2024-10-17 13:57:33 |
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A confronting book and a story that needed to be told. An authentic perspective from experience. We felt it was well-written, backed up by diligent research. Learning about these attitudes and conditions shocked us. |
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By: OTAKI 001
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2023-07-05 13:17:23 |
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Book was really enjoyed by all who read it. Hugely demanding text, important though to put it in the context of the times. Generated lots of discussion re caring for/treating others, and widened out into health and education. |
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By: WELL 142
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2023-07-05 13:15:08 |
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Most members of our group found the subject matter troubling and the writing style unsatisfying. Cohen has provided a good record of a typical institution of the mid to late 20th century, but he has viewed it with the lens of today, and judges it accordingly. |
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By: NEWP 013
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2023-07-05 13:12:13 |
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Only two of the group read the book completely - others started but lost interest, either in the subject matter or lack of engagement in it. However, quite a good discussion followed with plenty of comments from the teachers in the group. One person wished there had been more about the author himself. |
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By: TIMAR 016
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2023-07-05 13:09:29 |
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Disappointed - could have been written in a more thorough and interesting way. |
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By: GOVER 001
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2023-07-05 13:08:21 |
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We thought this was a very important book - style sometimes a little awkward but the substance was significant. Great discussion. |
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By: HAMIL 034
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2023-07-05 13:06:18 |
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We liked the design of this book - quality binding and suitable cover photo. Not an easy book to read, but all pleased to have the opportunity to do so, because the subject is very topical. Good to have social problems put in front of us as it stirs our heads as well as our hearts. Very interesting, lively discussion. |
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By: ASHB 004
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2023-07-05 13:02:02 |
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Some of our group had experience working with young people as described in the book. It would seem the situation for the boys was very aptly described. A harrowing episode in recent history. |
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By: AUCK 016
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2023-07-05 13:00:27 |
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This book provoked a lot of discussion as one of our group had worked in Wellington in child welfare, and also some of the group had been teachers. We were left wondering if things have changed, and if so, were they any better? The book was a hard read - but worthwhile to get people thinking about the youth of N.Z. |
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By: AMBER 002
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2023-07-05 12:57:09 |
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Nobody enjoyed it, only two finished it. Most felt it was like reading a textbook. However, we had quite an interesting discussion, as we have one member who used to live in Porirua and who worked as a cleaner at a boys' home and later relieved as a 'house-mother' , so her input saved the night. |
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By: WELL 046
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2023-07-05 12:50:40 |
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We all agreed that it painted a sad and shocking picture of residential care for young people in the 70s and 80s. Some found the style too florid - too much "journalistic" writing. Some would have liked to hear more about his own experience. |
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