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“Research sits at the core of our objective to inform for justice,” states President Karol V. Mason. Research carried out by our professors, trainees, and alumni effect our advocacy for a more simply world. Our “Research on the Increase” series showcases their work.
Lili Ramos ’22, ’26, a doctoral trainee in John Jay’s medical psychology program, was among just 2 CUNY trainees to win a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, which will support her research on challenges teenagers deal with while on probation and how it affects their success. “Through this research, we wish to discover what particular probation requirements and scenarios add to infractions for teenage years,” states Ramos, who will work carefully with her coach, Assistant Teacher Emily Haney-Caron, Ph.D., on the task.
What drew you to research the juvenile legal system?
The juvenile legal system stops working to record what we understand about teen advancement and experiences. My inspiration originates from acknowledging just how much of an injustice we are doing to kids by not having policies and practices that show their real experiences. There’s a great deal of space for modification.
” My inspiration originates from acknowledging just how much of an injustice we are doing to kids by not having policies and practices that show their real experiences.”–Lili Ramos ’22, ’26
Why is probation such a troublesome location for juveniles?
Many teenagers who are charged in delinquency cases are put on probation. When teenagers are on probation, they’re entrusted with finishing various requireds, approximately 30 various jobs, consisting of drug screening, curfew, and school participation. That’s a lots of things a teen needs to keep an eye on to fulfill their probation requirements. Based on what we understand about teen advancement, this can be particularly tough. Brain and behavioral research reveals that teenagers are still forming their decision-making capabilities. So, teenagers are most likely to act based on instant satisfaction, the immediacy of the benefit, and on impulse. They’re less most likely to think about the long-lasting effects of their actions.
” Teenagers are most likely to act based on instant satisfaction, the immediacy of the benefit, and on impulse. They’re less most likely to think about the long-lasting effects of their actions.”–Lili Ramos ’22, ’26
What can you inform us about your research task?
We’re developing a design that records various elements that might enter into the teenage years experience on probation. We’re taking a look at 3 various domains: the youth, the moms and dads and household environment, and the area. It’s a survey-based research study where we’ll be hiring teenagers and caretakers. We wish to focus their voices and find out about their experiences with probation and the elements that added to their challenges.
What are a few of the concerns you’ll be asking?
We’ll be asking teenagers about their experiences with psychological health, drug abuse, and psychological wellness. For the moms and dads or caretakers, we’ll be inquiring about their own experiences with psychological health and compound usage, acknowledging that their experience might affect their capability to assistance the teen on probation. We’ll likewise consider parenting practices and household performance, which we understand effects teen habits.
” We require a higher effort towards diversion programs so kids are not on probation in the top place.”–Lili Ramos ’22, ’26
What policy modifications would you like to see?
There requires to be a decrease in probation durations to keep less kids associated with the system. We require a higher effort towards diversion programs so kids are not on probation in the top place, and typically higher assistance for households and their kids. We see an actually high rate of psychological health issue with kids and moms and dads who are included with juvenile probation, so increasing assistance and access to resources will have a big effect.
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