Sea of Good Intentions

In chapter six we juxtapose the work of compassionate adults against the harsh “zero-tolerance” policy environment and highlight the positive impacts of caring adults on youth at critical times in adolescence. We begin with a brief review of the rise of “zero-tolerance” policies and how they took shape nationally and in Hawai‘i. We hear the stories of June and Auggie, who experienced the punitive sting of the juvenile justice system as teens under this policy environment. We contrast that with examples of school and court professionals who made a marked difference in the lives of youth and explore the meaning and importance of discretionary power using an “ethic of care.”