Weeping in the Playtime of Others: America's Incarcerated Children

by Kenneth Wooden, Kathleen M. Heide (Foreword)

From the summer of 1972 through 1975, Kenneth Wooden visited correctional facilities in thirty states where juveniles between the ages of five and sixteen were being held. During his research he uncovered an astoundingly high incidence of emotional and physical abuse, torture, and commercial exploitation of the children by their keepers, individuals who received public funds to care for them. After observing the brutal treatment of these youths, a significant number of whom were not criminals but runaways or mentally disabled, Wooden described the conditions in which these children lived in Weeping in the Playtime of Others.

Genres: Nonfiction

296 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Ellenore Clementine Kruger]

The science is a must. There are some very dark labels for medicine for adult prisoners late in the book. Early in the book, I see isolation is not great for kids but fairly decent for adults, and I think this is give or take because astrology etc. I think this book may fuel some anger. I will say I am medicated. I like activism. I am not in a criminal awareness at all. I dont think crime is even aware half the time. The concept of “status offenders” was enlightening because as a word it says the class gap should not be ignored. I see potential for humanity in this book.

[lauren tidwell]

i had to read it for a class. it was painfully boring and quite disturbing in some chapters, but needed to be read. i think all criminal justice majors should read this as it is a reminder to always help people, no matter age, gender, race, or background. 1 ⭐️

[Laura]

I read this for a class, I wouldn't just pick this book up. It is heart breaking, anger inducing, rage filling for anyone that has any small form of empathy.

[Michael]

Wow. What an incredible, mind-blowing, stomach churning, society indicting read. Even though the book was written in the 70’s - it is a painful reminder of how much we often don’t know that is going on in our name in society. His focus on what is happening with young people in juvenile detention, group homes, etc... is shocking. But his look at what is happening with private systems/homes/etc... that receive economic benefit from “caring” for these young people - only serves to challenge us about the increasing privatization of adult and young people’s incarceration. The work of Michelle Alexander and many, many others - shouting to a deaf world - about how we are feeding a system, and that the food is the people, particularly the low-income and most vulnerable in our communities - is as true today, if in different places, than it was in the period of which Mr. Wooden writes. I’m very glad I read it - but it’s a painful thing to face - this is how we treated each other - and we can easily be blind to how we are treating one another now. Shocking.

[Mekay]

I read this book about a year ago and decided to add it to my list on this website because of its importance. Many people overlook the population of orphaned children in our state as well as our country while much attention is often given to orphans of other countries. This book goes beyond this general awareness. Weeping In The Playtime of Others portrays a corrupt system and unfolds the story of how much of this corruption was defeated. It also opens the eyes of it's readers to the vast amount of corruption that is, could, and will take place in this population. This book is touching, educating, and realistic.

[Christina Berger]

it was a very intense and difficult book, but it is an eye-opening experience reading this book. The author goes in great detail about everything that is done with each child and pushes to bring more reform to the criminal justice system. I would recommend to anyone who would take a week to read this book because it is mentally/emotionally painful that you can feel the pain coming from the book. It is 248 pages, but it is not an easy read at all.

[Carol Rose Stark Neal]

Excellent and well researched presentation about incarcerated children and the failures of the the system as it existed in about 1974. Thoughtful advice on changing an entrenched program that failed.

[jessica]

probably one of the best books i was required to read in college. very informative and moving.