Children of the City (clip 1)
Thought-provoking study of juvenile delinquency in Dundee during World War II
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Description
A dramatised study of child delinquency in Scotland during World War II. Filmed in Dundee this clip depicts boys breaking into a shop, their arrest by the police and the operation of a juvenile court.
Questions & Activities
Questions
- What is child delinquency?
- What do you think the statistics for crime are in Scotland today?
- What is the sign outside the shop and what does it stand for?
- How many of the arguments have changed?
- How many of the type of tenements shown in this film still exist?
- How have they been modified?
Activities
Media Studies: The attitude towards the causes of delinquency seem quite liberal in comparison to similar programmes today. Discuss why this might be and why moral attitudes have hardened. Discuss whether it has something to do with the arrival of television and other media.
S3, S4 Standard Grade History: Discuss this primary source regarding overcrowding in the city. Why is it a primary source? What does it show about the problems faced during those times.
English: Discuss the differences between young peoples lives today and life back then. What has changed, what remains the same? Try to explain how technology has changed their lives and how these devices work. Construct a drama explaining to one of these kids what life is today. Or more simply try to explain how a mobile phone works to a person back then.
PSE: Use this film as a starting point top a discussion about what the factors make a good home and how responsibility is instilled in young minds. You may want to also compare this film to 'Cally House'.
Research the work of the Childrens Panel and the Rights of the Child Charter.
Clip Details
| Record Id | 007-000-002-041-C |
|---|---|
| Resource Rights Holder | Crown Copyright licensed by National Library of Scotland |
| Project Ref | 0291 |
| Date | 1944 (World War II) |
| Genre | Documentary, Drama Documentary, Educational, Sponsored, Women Filmmakers |
| School Subject | History, Physical Education, English, Drama, Media Studies |
| Subject Matter | Citizenship |
| Who | Budge Cooper (director), MOI for the Scottish Education Department (sponsor), Paul Rotha Productions (production company) |
| Where | Dundee |
| Event | World War II, Trial |
| Attributes | Black and White, Sound |
| Clip Length | 7:29 |
| Film Length | 30:00 |