concept of thought reform
Anyone who lives in society has undergone "thought reform" in one form or another as society is something created with our minds and pushed on others to accept. There is not natural or real society. Just as their is no agreed upon human reality. If by making your kids mind that is thought reform...pretty silly. What kind of society do you want to create?
I'm not sure what your angle is, but I'll just pretend that you're not a shill for the industry.
You asked about Thought Reform. It has nothing to do with parents disciplining their children. It doesn't even have anything to do with Marine Corps boot camp.
See here:
http://www.rickross.com/reference/brain ... hing2.htmlThe Thought Reform/Coercive Persuasion/Mind Control tactics employed by programs is much more insidious. Listed below are just a few of the elements typically found at programs.
isolation
Deprivation
Restricted/Monitored Communication
A Level System w/ a Series of Rewards and Punishments
Forced Confessions - which are then used against the victim.
Humiliation - strip searches, reading impact letters, etc
Behavior Control which may include such things as Dress, When and What to eat, Control of Bodily Functions like having to seek permission to relieve oneself, forbidding and punishing masturbation, being observed while relieving oneself and bathing.
Control of Information: the victim is kept in the dark about important decisions, and isn't allowed to ask questions about the future which creates psychological stress.
The victim must buy-in to the program and accept that he needs to be there, and accept the program's version of the truth in order to advance and graduate.
These are just a few of the things that I could think of off the top of my head and they are common at all programs I'm familiar with.
You can read more about the process of mind control at the links below.
http://freedomofmind.com/Info/BITE/bitemodel.phphttp://www.rickross.com/reference/apolo ... ist23.htmlhttp://www.rickross.com/reference/brain ... ing19.htmlYou asked in another thread about what does work. Well how about respecting the basic rights of individuals for self-determination. Sure, there are a very few individuals who are active threats to themselves or others who need to be committed briefly until they can be stabilized. But there is no scientific evidence to support the efficacy of wilderness programs, TBS's, RTC's, or other behavior modification facilities. The research that does exist shows that local, family therapy is the most effective at reaching teens.
see here:
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/m ... /sec7.htmland here:
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/12/troubled-teens.aspxand here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maia-szal ... 15023.htmland here:
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=38312and this too:
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_ ... tment.htmlAnd if you really care about young people here are some questions you can ask programs before you start promoting them on your website.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consume ... pro27.shtmhttp://www.helpatanycost.com/questions.phpLet's say you ignore all that evidence above about programs not working and you still want to design a program that's not abusive. Well here are my suggestions:
1) No involuntary commitments without due process. No young person 13 years of age or older should be committed to a program against his will until all reasonable local options have been tried and he's been provided a lawyer and had a due process court hearing where all the facts are presented and he has an opportunity to defend himself.
2) No strip searches unless there is probable cause that a particular individual has some dangerous drug or weapon.
3) No monitoring of phone calls or letters. No blanket restrictions on who one may call or write. There might be circumstances when a patient can be restricted from contacting a particular person such as his drug dealer, but there shouldn't be a general prohibition on contacting friends or others.
4) There should be a clear easy process to contact lawyers and outside authorities to report abuse.
5) No level system and no group punishment for the actions of an individual.
6) No withholding of food or other creature comforts as punishment or to compel compliance.
7) No forced confessions
8 ) Protected right to refuse specific treatment modalities such as group therapy or 12 step.
9) The right to wear one's own clothes and to retain possession of personal property including money and ID.
10) No restraint or seclusion.
I'm sure there are other things I've missed, but the above would be a good start.
This guy has some pretty good ideas on the subject:
http://cafety.org/index.php?option=com_ ... &Itemid=35