Story of Bali, Indonesia

A third approach is illustrated by Inkles, Haufman, and Beier's use of standardized questionnaires and psychological tests in studies of adjustment of the Soviets to their political system and the Dutch and Danes' attitudes towards life satisfaction, a sense of burden, and control of one's life .

There are no published data or reports relevant to 'the social adjustment or mental health problems of adolescents in Bali. No psychiatrists or mental health professionals specialize in this age group. Recently, David Rosenthal and the authors undertook a study of juvenile delinquency in south Bali. Other information on this subject is based on Suryani's clinical work, talks she has given to adolescents and their teachers in high schools, and her experience as founder of a group of professionals and adolescents which work towards establishing preventive mental health programmes for adolescents in Denpasar.

Preliminary information is remarkable. The rate of juvenile delinquency is very low. Only sporadic cases are observed in Denpasar and in villages. In Bayung Gede villagers have not encountered juvenile delinquency for many years, do not recognize a general pattern of adolescent turmoil or crisis, and have not seen drug or alcohol use by adolescents even though alcoholic beverages are readily available. The Balinese in general do not expect adolescence to be a period of turmoil or crisis. When adolescent pregnancy occurs out of wedlock, it presents a problem but the family makes an effort to solve it by arranging a marriage before the baby is born. 'The child becomes accepted by family, community, and religion through marriage. Custom dictates that marriage, even if it is only short-lived, is essential for the child's benefit.

Bali has a juvenile justice system but no juvenile detention facility. Government-employed counsellors meet with arrested adolescents to work out solutions to problems which might otherwise result in imprisonment. High school teachers and students told Suryani that they do not see the kind of adolescent adjustment problems that she related as typical of Western cultures and as described in the literature.

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