Juvenile behavior - Cause? Effect?
Juvenile delinquents -cause and effect?
By Dr. Ada Alden
There is serious trouble in the Pilanesberg National Park in northwestern South Africa. Rangers, for the last three years, have been distressed by the discovery killed white rhinos, about one a month. Imagine their surprise when they discovered the the same phenomenon was happening at Hluhluwe Umfolozi Park in the southeastern section of the country. Often the suspects are poachers grabbing the horns of the rhino for illegal sales around the world. This was however not the case as the animals were left intact- horns and all.
Using their best Nancy Drew -Sherlock Holmes methods, the rangers solved the mystery of the monthly murders. One of the first clues was that he wounds had been caused by long sharp objects not gunshots. The murderers were pachyderms- young, aggressive bull elephants that killed the rhinos by kneeling on them after knocking them down.
The curious theory behind these murders should give on reasons to think. Granted the theory is not proven -- but it is interesting. The elephants may be depraved. As young elephants, they were removed from their slaughtered parents during a culling operations in the Kruger National Park and relocated to establish elephant populations in parks and private reserves throughout the country. The good news was the populations of the elephants was preserved. The bad news may be that usually elephants are raised in tight knit groups and this close connection was severed. Since 1978, almost 1500 orphan calves, 600 of them males, have been moved to unfamiliar locations and raised with no exposure to adult elephants or the hierarchical social structure that defines elephant life. Marian Garai, a Swiss-born zoologist says that normally a dominant older male elephant is around to keep young bulls in line. The displaced calves have no role models. This may have had a profound effect on the elephants’ psychology.
Park rangers brought in two adult female circus elephants to the Pilanesberg Park and the young elephants settled down. Next year, a few 40 year old bull elephants will be moved to the area to add their wisdom and support. Now entire families of elephants are moved. No longer in the culling are the young separated from the parents.
There are lessons for us who are curious enough to pay attention. Maybe youngsters of all types need time with adults? Maybe it isn’t healthy to have three year olds guiding three year olds. Maybe too many 7th graders on their own is asking for trouble? Maybe with out clear guidelines and connections our young will run rampant through the South African park or the streets depending on your location. A recent Star Tribune article focused on the increasing numbers of children joining gangs. Authors David Chanen and Terry Collins ended the lengthy column by commenting on how parents are not taking an active interest in their children's lives. I believe it is Rollo May who said, when one’s sense of self worth and self esteem is threatened, individuals resort to acts of violence.
Two friends from Minnetonka High died in a terrible car crash recently. In the Star Tribune story by Tom Ford he stated that adults held hands and made a human circle around the students who were mourning for deaths. Both parents and students were grieving. However the adults seemed to have created a protective circle around the young. Generational connections can not be maintained and nurtured via instant messaging. .
Our future depends on adults who recognize the importance of being present, predictable and and accountable.
By Dr. Ada Alden
There is serious trouble in the Pilanesberg National Park in northwestern South Africa. Rangers, for the last three years, have been distressed by the discovery killed white rhinos, about one a month. Imagine their surprise when they discovered the the same phenomenon was happening at Hluhluwe Umfolozi Park in the southeastern section of the country. Often the suspects are poachers grabbing the horns of the rhino for illegal sales around the world. This was however not the case as the animals were left intact- horns and all.
Using their best Nancy Drew -Sherlock Holmes methods, the rangers solved the mystery of the monthly murders. One of the first clues was that he wounds had been caused by long sharp objects not gunshots. The murderers were pachyderms- young, aggressive bull elephants that killed the rhinos by kneeling on them after knocking them down.
The curious theory behind these murders should give on reasons to think. Granted the theory is not proven -- but it is interesting. The elephants may be depraved. As young elephants, they were removed from their slaughtered parents during a culling operations in the Kruger National Park and relocated to establish elephant populations in parks and private reserves throughout the country. The good news was the populations of the elephants was preserved. The bad news may be that usually elephants are raised in tight knit groups and this close connection was severed. Since 1978, almost 1500 orphan calves, 600 of them males, have been moved to unfamiliar locations and raised with no exposure to adult elephants or the hierarchical social structure that defines elephant life. Marian Garai, a Swiss-born zoologist says that normally a dominant older male elephant is around to keep young bulls in line. The displaced calves have no role models. This may have had a profound effect on the elephants’ psychology.
Park rangers brought in two adult female circus elephants to the Pilanesberg Park and the young elephants settled down. Next year, a few 40 year old bull elephants will be moved to the area to add their wisdom and support. Now entire families of elephants are moved. No longer in the culling are the young separated from the parents.
There are lessons for us who are curious enough to pay attention. Maybe youngsters of all types need time with adults? Maybe it isn’t healthy to have three year olds guiding three year olds. Maybe too many 7th graders on their own is asking for trouble? Maybe with out clear guidelines and connections our young will run rampant through the South African park or the streets depending on your location. A recent Star Tribune article focused on the increasing numbers of children joining gangs. Authors David Chanen and Terry Collins ended the lengthy column by commenting on how parents are not taking an active interest in their children's lives. I believe it is Rollo May who said, when one’s sense of self worth and self esteem is threatened, individuals resort to acts of violence.
Two friends from Minnetonka High died in a terrible car crash recently. In the Star Tribune story by Tom Ford he stated that adults held hands and made a human circle around the students who were mourning for deaths. Both parents and students were grieving. However the adults seemed to have created a protective circle around the young. Generational connections can not be maintained and nurtured via instant messaging. .
Our future depends on adults who recognize the importance of being present, predictable and and accountable.
