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Youth Without Purpose: A series of four discussions on young people broadcast on the YA stations in 1958. Produced by Ralph Waite and Peter Cape.
1. The Outside View - various officials give their opinions on problems of juvenile behaviours. Introduced by psychologist Ralph Waite, speakers include a Probation Officer, a Child Welfare Officer, a Mental Hygiene Division Officer, a psychiatrist and a magistrate.[These speakers are unnamed.]
2. The Inside View - various unidentified young people, members of youth and church groups, schools and hostels give the inside view of the attitudes and stresses of adolescence.
They talk about the importance of sport, hobbies, social activity and clothes as ways of expressing their personalities. They talk about why some young people become juvenile delinquents - the relationship with parents is a key. Working mothers are blamed by some of the young people for not having enough time for their children. They also say the problem is exaggerated, as it is only a small percentage of teenagers who cause problems.
A young man comments on the style of dress of the 'bodgies'. Another talks about milk bars and "motorcycle cowboys" being supported by their girlfriends in Christchurch and Dunedin. A girl talks about the problem of 'bodgies and widgies' and says bad behaviour needs to be stopped when children are much younger. The welfare state and the decline of religion are also blamed. The programme ends with a young man describing an encounter with 'bodgies' in Wellington's Manners Street.
3. Are These the Answers? - opinions of experts who are concerned with preventing or remedying delinquency.
4. Panel Discussion - discussion of first three programmes with Dr Clarence Beeby, Director of Education; Samuel Barnett, Secretary for Justice, and William Minn, Head of the School of Social Science at Victoria University of Wellington.