NCJ Number
52435
Journal
Phi Delta Kappan Dated: (JANUARY 1978) Pages: 307-315
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
DATA ON DESTRUCTIVE YOUTH CONDUCT AND YOUTH ATTITUDE CHANGES FROM THE 1950'S TO THE 1970'S ARE PRESENTED, AND THE TENDENCY OF AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS AND THE MODERN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM TO ALIENATE YOUTH IS CONSIDERED.
Abstract
BETWEEN 1950 AND 1975, THE ANNUAL SUICIDE RATE OF WHITE YOUTHS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 AND 19 INCREASED 171 PERCENT, WHILE THE HOMICIDE RATE FOR THE SAME GROUP INCREASED 200 PERCENT. DRUG ARRESTS OF MALES UNDER THE AGE OF 18 INCREASED 1,288 PERCENT BETWEEN 1960 AND 1972, AND THE PERCENTAGE OF SEVENTH-GRADE BOYS WHO REPORTED DRINKING DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR INCREASED FROM 53 PERCENT IN 1969 TO 73 PERCENT IN 1973. THESE AND OTHER DATA ON SELF-DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR AMONG YOUTHS AND DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR DIRECTED AT OTHERS REVEAL A STEADY INCREASE IN YOUTH ALIENATION. CHANGES IN YOUTH CONDUCT HAVE BEEN ACCOMPANIED BY CHANGES IN ADOLESCENT ATTITUDES. THERE IS EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASINGLY WITHDRAWN ATTITUDE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE COUPLED WITH AN APPARENT INCREASE IN THEIR SELF-CENTEREDNESS; THEY HAVE GREAT EXPECTATIONS OF A SOCIETY IN WHICH THEY PARTICIPATE LESS AND LESS. IT IS FELT THAT SUICIDE AMONG YOUTH IS A MEASURE OF THE EXTENT TO WHICH A GIVEN SOCIETY HAS SUCCEEDED OR FAILED IN INTEGRATING ITS CITIZENS AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. THE AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM SEGREGATES THE YOUNG FROM MOST ADULTS AND FROM YOUTHS NOT IN THEIR IMMEDIATE AGE GROUP, ACADEMIC STATUS, OR SOCIOECONOMIC CLASS. IT PLACES THE YOUNG IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY HAVE FEW OCCASIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DRAMATIC, COLLECTIVE RELEASE OF STRONG EMOTIONS OR IN WORK THAT IS RELEVANT TO PROXIMATE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC NEEDS. CONSEQUENCES OF YOUTH ALIENATION ARE DISCUSSED. CHANGES ARE RECOMMENDED IN SCHOOLS AS WELL AS SCHOOL-RELATED PHENOMENA THAT CAUSE THE CURRENT FORMS OF INTERPERSONAL ISOLATION. TABULAR DATA AND NOTES ARE INCLUDED. (DAG)