Dear BenBen,
I am not quite so sure about the first part, of your letter. I think that it was not totally a bad thing for Clay to give some (non-identifying) background, to help people understand, and empathize with, what some of the models are going through. Because, especially in the current Internet environment: people can be so quick, to judge. (And judge, mercilessly.)
I totally agree with the second part of what you said, though. Very often young people who are seen as "bad", or "incorrigible" ~ if they actually GET a chance to HAVE some care and kindness, which they have never hitherto received ~ turn out to be the BEST people, of ALL. Before I was born (because she was an old lady, by then) my Grandma used to give opportunities like that to kids on the farm (kids who were considered to be "juvenile delinquents", in the '40's, and '50's): to have a job, and make friends, and go to the movies, and stuff like that. And, by far, most of them repaid her with LOTS of love, and went on to do pretty well, in their lives.
(Of course, that was a different era, I am granting you that ~ long before the problems of complex and intractable substance addictions, that a lot of kids face, today. And such difficulties alter the equation considerably, and sometimes, sadly, irrevocably.)
However, BenBen, I think the principle is the same. It is true, that there are a few people out there who are genuinely BAD. More, who are ill, suffering from various intractable emotional problems: often brought on by cruelty, in their growing-up years. And even MORE, devastated by substance abuse. Sometimes, these problems can never be "solved", even by the greatest kindness.
BUT, I do believe, at bottom, most young men and women are the same: they want simply to be cared-about, and loved - and have a chance to do SOMETHING in life that will make better things possible. It is not ALWAYS possible, but, it is my belief: if you can catch such kids EARLY enough in life, and show them some love, and GIVE them a chance: wonderful things CAN happen, for them. It's not inevitable - especially in the midst of all the challenges people face today ~ but, it is still POSSIBLE. And so, people should TRY.
"A" XOXOXOXOXO