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The Review Of Scared Straight

June 21st, 2010

Arnold Shapiro delivered a masterpiece thriller in 1976 named Scared Straight!. Peter Falk rendered his voice to the narrative parts to add a touch of seriousness to the film. The film was intended to be a documentary depicting the life of a few teenagers who had gone astray and attempted to become big time criminals. The movie opens with a portrayal of how these boys were discontent with society in general and how being criminal seemed to them as a way of escaping its brutalities. It is saddening when each of them relates his stories of unruliness and all the evil things he has done.

The documentary shows the true life of criminals and the inmates of the prison and how they fight, trade people for cigarettes and scare the new prisoners. They threaten to kill those who do not accept their terms. The movie is basically a harsh representation of all the gruesome realities that take place in prison.

This film was among the first to be broadcasted on TV in the uncensored format. The word Fuck was not censored in this movie and then became common among the audiences of the time. Mikie C played the role of a drug dealer, Jerome Watts portrayed a street gang member, Jon Shipiro put in his part as a bomb maker and Carlo Gallo pulled off a master act as the son of a mafia informant. Also lesser known roles were that of a car thief and a market dealer.

Less eminent roles included those of a thief and black market dealer. The ending part of the film is quite dramatic with the teenagers aghast with the harsh world that they have been thrown into and wishing to change to become better human beings and live a life that is useful to society.

The hard work and honesty that the director showed while bringing such a sensitive topic to the notice of the audience was much appreciated. Many critics applauded the effort while there were some that felt the handling of the topic was distasteful. Nevertheless the movie went on to win the 1976 Academy award for Best Documentary Feature. The documentary also ended up winning two Emmys under separate categories in the same year.

Several critics however showered accolades upon the director for his honest portrayal of the brutal realities of leading a criminal life and called it as a lesson to all those wayward youngsters who ought to learn to blend in to society.

It was a landmark in film making that a film on such a sensitive topic was not just envisioned but made, acclaimed and released uncensored to a vast audience. However, the message of the movie was not completely received by the audience. The unfortunate result of this was that the people started becoming more violent and showed increasing tendencies towards criminal behavior.

Inspite of all this, the movie cult following remains intact and it still is a classic thrill even 32 years after its release. The boldness of the director in choosing a whole new kind of storyline and the honest way in which he dealt with the portrayals in the movie are what makes it so special and keeps it charm alive even today.

Ever heard about the 1970′s movie Scared Straight? We’ve got the ultimate inside skinny now in our comprehensive Diamond Ranch Academy guide.

categories: scared straight,teen,teenagers,family therapy,family issues,parenting,parents,therapy

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Considering A Boarding School For Boys?

June 20th, 2010

Even though public education is free here in the U. S., many parents have reasons to send their children elsewhere for an education. Some may not be satisfied with the quality of the local government-run schools, and others may have children with special needs. One option is to find a school that’s away from home, and to send the children there to live. Throughout history, this option has been particularly popular for boys. There’s a lot of information on the web about choosing a boarding school for boys.

Parents can make a choice depending upon the needs of their child. Those who would just like something better than the local public option can opt for a “prep school”, which will generally teach grades 9 through 12. The main difference between them and your local public option is that the courses are specifically geared toward preparing the boys for college. (You’ll also find some that teach grades 6 through 9.)

Some of these academies are run on a military model, where students are required to learn military discipline and wear military uniforms. They may also have JROTC programs, where students are required to take courses on leadership, and to take part in drills and ceremonies. Other academies are geared more toward the civilian world, and some may be associated with a church. And, you’d be surprised to learn how old some institutions are. (At least one has been in operation since the late 18th century.)

Either way, their advertising brochures talk about their accreditation, their focus on academic superiority, and their small class sizes. (There may even mention about the number of their graduates who go on to do well in college.) Also, they claim to teach creativity, critical thinking skills, and about how to learn.

They’ll also talk about their athletic and social activities, and about how they can mold a student’s character into that of a productive and well-adjusted adult. Many of these are located in either small towns or out in the countryside. In general, the faculty also live on premises.

Other academies have been established for children with behavioral or emotional problems. They can help children with a wide range of issues, such as ADHD, substance abuse, anger management, or depression. You may find these located either in the mountain wilderness, or on a Western desert ranch. Either way, vigorous outdoor activity is a major component of the therapy. Counselling for parents might also be available.

So, you might be wondering, how is it advantageous to send children to single-sex schools?

Many people claim that children can learn more competently when they aren’t pressured to interface with the other sex. Some studies demonstrate that students at a single-sex learning institution have a better record of academic achievement. Girls, some specialists explain, learn differently from boys, so teaching methods should be specifically designed for each sex.

If you think you’d like to consider one of these alternatives, you’ll want to note that they are quite expensive. But, financial aid is offered at some academies.

Your preferred search engine can assist you in finding a boarding school for boys.

Diamond Ranch Academy is a top rated boarding school for boys. It provides formal educational learning, physical activity and a great facility for youngsters who need a structured environment for learning.

categories: military school,boarding school,family,therapy,teen,teenagers,troubled teens,family issues,teen issues,drugs,alcohol,adhd

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Your Troubled Teen Will Be Guided By Skilled Diamond Ranch Academy Therapists

June 20th, 2010

Diamond Ranch Academy therapists are caring, experienced, registered mental health care professionals. The DRA is a leading boarding school for teens in need of some type of rehabilitation. The academy caters for teenagers aged 12 to 18 years. It is situated on a magnificent 200 acre property in the state of Utah, USA.

Every therapist has qualified with a Doctorate or Masters degree. They counsel students individually, in groups and with family. They also supervise the academy’s case managers who organize parental visits, psycho-educational groups, and other spheres of the program.

Every sphere of the rehabilitation program at the academy is designed to be therapeutic. Even fun elements are focused on rehabilitation. These include clubs and activities, family groups, work projects, equine therapy, animal care, and fishing. Each is geared to have a therapeutic impact on the students.

Although the main object is to deal with a student’s behavioral problems, every student is encouraged to achieve good academic results. To this end, the academy has an outstanding academic curriculum. While at the DRA, each student will experience his or her own personal journey to self-discovery. The academy’s motto, ‘Healing Families, One Youth at a Time’ clearly defines its ethos.

Using its trademarked Real Life Transition Program, the DRA concentrates on reinforcing responsibility and accountability in each student’s life. Within the first 2 weeks of enrolment, the Clinical Director will assess the student. After this, a principal therapist will be assigned to work with her or him.

This principal therapist will conduct individual sessions and family sessions every second week. In the early stages, family therapy is done via a telephone in ‘conference’ mode. Intensive group therapy takes place every week. In addition, students are able to attend sessions conducted by Narcotics Anonymous.

Twice a week, psycho-educational sessions are held. The object of these is to teach students to understand themselves and how to improve relationships with others. At these gatherings, a number of relevant topics are discussed. These include addiction, loss or grief, peer pressure, social skills, or anger management.

Family therapy starts when the student has completed the ‘homeless’ component of the program. The therapist will contact the family every second week and discuss progress and any other relevant issues. He or she will also determine when personal visits may commence.

All counseling sessions with students and their families are held in strict confidence. No information will be divulged without a parent’s written consent. Likewise, therapists do not disclose details of any therapy sessions with students. The only exception is if someone’s life is in danger. An example would be possible suicide.

It usually takes about 10 weeks before a student is eligible for personal family visits. Sometimes, it can take as long as 3 or 4 months before this can occur. Once eligible, a student may be visited once a month.

Parents can have access to Diamond Ranch Academy therapists whenever they wish. Each has an email address and a personal phone line. Parents are expected to keep in regular contact with their child’s therapist. The academy never excludes family members from the rehabilitation program. In fact, family comprises an essential part of the process.

Diamond Ranch Academy offers a facility for teens who need recovery services while continuing their progress through the educational system. Scared Straight is one of the programs offered to help adolescents turn their lives in a new direction.

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Confidence and Social Anxiety for Teenagers: Self-Conscious Guy DVD

May 23rd, 2010

  • Title: Self-Conscious Guy
  • Year: 1951
  • Run Time:10:20
  • Audio/Visual: Sound, Black & White

Product Description
This film from Coronet shows how feelings of self-consciousness can interfere with a successful and fulfilled life. Marty lives with the feeling that there is a spotlight on him all the time, a fear that is affecting many areas of his life, including his school work and his ability to make friends. He wants a part in the school play, but his lack of self-confidence means that he is only fit to work behind the scenes as a stage hand. Every time he starts to feel self-conscious, an actual spotlight shines on him, illustrating his feelings of vulnerability in certain situations. As the film was made in the 1950s, Marty will eventually learn to find his confidence, echoing the optimism of the time.

Confidence and Social Anxiety for Teenagers: Self-Conscious Guy DVD

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Troubled Adolescents Are Guided By Caring Professionals At The Diamond Ranch Academy

May 19th, 2010

The Diamond Ranch Academy in the American state of Utah is a highly reputable boarding school. It specifically caters for teenagers who cannot cope in a mainstream school because they have problems. Enrollment is offered to adolescents aged 12-18. The academy has four individual campuses on its huge 200 acre property.

Its mission is to assist such youngsters, as well as their families, to make some vital long-lasting life changes. Everything happens in a caring, controlled and loving environment. The academy’s ethos is clearly evident in its motto, ‘Healing Families, One Youth at a Time’. When certain attitude and behavioral changes are made, students are able to function effectively in society.

To attain this goal, the academy concentrates on teaching accountability and responsibility. With these attributes, every girl and boy has a chance to live successful, happy lives. Throughout a student’s stay at DRA, these two vital qualities are firmly reinforced.

The four campuses are registered with the Department of Human Services in Utah. They are set up by gender and age. The two girls’ campuses are called Crystal Springs (12 to 16 years) and Whisper Creek (16 to 18 years). The two boys’ campuses are Stone Ridge (12 to 16 years) and Lava Falls (16 to 18 years).

All counselors at Diamond Ranch Academy are highly qualified, licensed professionals. They have all the necessary skills and therapy techniques to oversee all students’ individual requirements and progress. The counselors conduct regular sessions on a one-on-one basis, in groups, and sessions with the student’s family.

Counselors at DRA are licensed mental health care workers. As such, they are involved in every sphere of the academy’s program. They are consulted when decisions are made regarding parents’ visits. They are also instrumental in choosing appropriate psycho-education for each student.

When drug addiction is involved, students work very closely with a designated therapist. This counselor will carefully guide the student through the recovery process. One aspect of therapy focuses on substance abuse. On the DRA’s website, you can read about each counselor and their specialist areas.

In order to teach students responsibility, respect and accountability, an innovative trademarked program is used. This is called The Real Life Transition Program. Using a token system, the students and their peers form a judicial hierarchy. It includes citations and fines, as well as appeals.

‘Money’ earned by each boy or girl is commensurate with their performance at the academy. In this way, they get to experience a taste of real life. They learn how to manage their money, how to budget and how to solve problems. All these factors cultivate a good sense of confidence and self-worth.

To foster a good worth ethic, the students are required to take on ‘jobs’ at the Diamond Ranch Academy. These include librarian, animal care taker, gardener, photographer, kitchen assistant, a judge, and more. Each boy and girl is further required to maintain their own living areas, oversee their laundry and adopt good hygiene regimes. By the time a student leaves, he or she has been equipped with all basic life skills to enable them to take their place in society.

Every employee at the Diamond Ranch Academy meets strict professional standards. The Diamond Ranch Academy is also an accredited education program recognized by the NAAS.

categories: family,therapy,teens,teenagers,drugs,addiction,boarding school,therapy,cousellors

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