RECENT POLISH STUDIES FOUND THAT 20 TO 36 PERCENT OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS CAME FROM THE BROKEN HOMES. IN 1968, OVER 42 PERCENT OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS CAME FROM HOMES IN WHICH BOTH PARENTS WORKED. THIS CAUSED CONFLICTS AND THE LACK OF ATTENTION TO CHILDREN'S NEEDS ON THE PART OF THE PARENTS. THE LATTER PROBLEM WAS ALSO ENCOUNTERED IN FAMILIES WHERE ONE PARENT WAS ILL FOR A LONG TIME. FOR EXAMPLE, IN ONE STUDY ONLY 30 PERCENT OF THE PARENTS OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS CONSIDERED THEMSELVES HEALTHY. ALCOHOLISM WAS A PROBLEM IN 23 TO 68 PERCENT OF THE FAMILIES. THE UNHAPPY HOME LIFE LED TO A SENSE OF REJECTION AND INSECURITY; TO SATISFY THEIR EMOTIONAL NEEDS, THE YOUTHS SOUGHT OUT THE COMPANY OF PEERS IN A SIMILAR SITUATION AND AT ODDS WITH THE SOCIETY. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. --IN POLISH.