There is no way to objectively follow these studies. In order to provide accurate statistics, one would have to follow each teenager from the moment they entered the facility, their response to the program on an individual basis (and all must experience the same exact treatment), enter a controlled environment upon their release and made to experience the same situations for a few years. Then, and only then, would we be able to get an accurate account of how well the industry works.
Here is something to consider: a few years ago, I found my best friend from Roloff via the internet. Unfortunately, I found her too late. She had died two years prior and her mother had set up a memorial page. I got in touch with her mother, who told me my friend's story.
After leaving Roloff, she was determined to live a "normal" life. Prior to the homes, her parents had been drug dealers, and she had been a cocaine addict. After leaving, she returned to high school (having to repeat the whole grade she had done at the homes due to a lack of accreditation) and got a job. She lived with her mother, who had gotten out of prison and was also working. Then her father got out, and the drug dealing began again. Long story short, my friend lived her life in and out of prison, battling emotional problems throughout. She was eventually a victim of domestic abuse.
I went to the homes after our pastor recommended it may be the best thing. I was a troublemaker at our Christian school, finding myself at the principal's office at least once a week. My crimes? They ranged from insulting a kid on the bus to carrying a condom to school (although I wasn't sexually active at the time). I did my time at Roloff, then came out to the same Christian environment. Although I rejected Christianity as a result of the Roloff experience, I was still in a loving, supportive environment. In time, the anger went away and I moved on in life without much of a struggle. I am now the person you would see anywhere and not give them a second thought. I'm neither angry or wallowing in sorrow, nor am I extremely successful or powerful. Just your average citizen, I guess.
Am I success story for the homes? I think not. Is my friend a failure for the homes? Again, no. We are products of our environment, circumstances, and choices. We just happened to find ourselves for one year at a teen behavior modification program. Save your studies. All they do is prove bias and give people a reason to argue.
If I had a choice to go back and do my life over, I may skip that one year, though. I didn't enjoy it.
