Last Chance in Texas: The Redemption of Criminal Youth

One of the text’s dominant themes is Legacies of Dysfunction. What are some forms of dysfunction? Are there recurring elements, or is every case different? Cite textual examples.

One of the therapists in the COG program says that empathy is the key. What does that statement mean? Provide three textual examples of empathy having a “key” effect and explain the transformations that occur.

Compare Marina’s parenting with Lucy’s. How do their family histories bear on their behavior as mothers?

Consider how gang membership can offer someone a sense of belonging and community. How does gang membership differ from the belonging and support found within COG?

Jimmie takes Marina and the boys to his family’s picnic. What behaviors do he and his family model for Ronnie?

All the teens in the COG program come from dysfunctional families. Think about the life stories they tell and give several examples of ways that dysfunction is transmitted from one generation to the next. Can this legacy be broken?

What are thinking errors? Who uses them and why? Provide at least four examples from the text, demonstrating different uses of thinking errors.

Compare Ronnie’s and Elena’s life stories. What are some key similarities and key differences? When they tell their stories, what do they learn, and what unresolved issues emerge?