NCJ Number
140329
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1992) Pages: 247-262
Date Published
1992
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This discussion of juvenile delinquency and youth gangs in the former Soviet Union focuses on the period leading up the country's collapse and draws some comparisons with issues and problems in the U.S.
Abstract
The extent of juvenile delinquency in the former Soviet Union is difficult to assess because statistics on crime and delinquency were tightly controlled before the introduction of glasnost and because police fail to register all crimes. However, available data suggest that the delinquency rate is lower than that in the U.S., with Soviet youth responsible for about 10 percent of the total number of registered crimes. The level of juvenile crime has increased over the past 20 years with most incidents involving property crimes. In the 1980's, more public attention became focused on the problems of informal youth associations (youth subcultures), drug and alcohol use, consumerism, and shifting political values and attitudes. Youths join these informal groups to find a sense of community with their peers and to express their individuality. Other issues which emerged during the last days of communism in the former Soviet Union were youths' lack of ideological commitment, problems with the educational system, and urbanization and the changing nature of the family. 1 table and 36 references