NCJ Number
128137
Journal
Future Choices Toward a National Youth Policy Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (Winter 1991) Pages: 63-73
Date Published
1991
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Soviet youth problems are increasing with crime, drugs, single parenthood, runaways, youth suicide, and hooliganism on the rise.
Abstract
Following decades of oppression and deprivation, young people in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe are facing even greater difficulties today due to political and economic changes. Soviet youth comprise 43 percent of the 158 million people able to work, and 80 percent of these youth in material production. Soviet youth are highly disaffected with 82 percent indicating they would leave the country to work if they had the opportunity. Because of the changes in the post-cold war era, youth policy concerns will increasingly be framed in international terms. Stability and growth in the Soviet Union will depend on whether it can create economic and social policies that nurture, educate, challenge, and reward youth. Alienated from the old economy, young people do not fully believe in the new economy being created. Most youth recognize the old system must change, but they also realize they will be primary victims of the transformation to a market economy. Clearly, the Soviet Union cannot create a market economy without youth participation. Yet, economic reform takes place against a background of youth alienation from labor. Wages are not linked to educational level, and intellectual potential is poorly used. Only about 30 percent of Soviet youth believe Marxism-Leninism should determine the path of social development; they are searching for new values and ideologies. Youth must see that discussions about new youth policies in government, trade unions, political parties, and youth organizations acknowledge the importance of youth development and self-realization.