NCJ Number
53051
Date Published
1976
Length
190 pages
Annotation
THE BREAKDOWN OF THE TRADITIONAL CULTURE, THE SEPARATION OF GENERATIONS, THE LACK OF MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT, AND THE CULTURAL CLASHES WHICH ARE LEADING TO RISING CRIME RATES AMONG THE YOUTH OF MICRONESIA ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
MORE THAN 300 INTERVIEWS WITH VILLAGE ELDERS, PUBLIC OFFICIALS, TRUST TERRITORY OFFICIALS FROM THE UNITED STATES, AND YOUNG PEOPLE THEMSELVES ARE USED TO AUGMENT THE STATISTICAL PORTIONS OF THIS REPORT. THE CONCEPT OF YOUTH IS FOREIGN TO MICRONESIA WHERE A PERSON IS CONSIDERED AN ADULT SOMETIME IN HIS MIDTWENTIES. EXPECTATIONS OF ADULT BEHAVIOR, HOWEVER, VARY. THEREFORE, AN ARBITRARY DEFINITION COVERING AGES 15 THROUGH 24 HAS BEEN ADOPTED FOR THE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS. IN 1973 MICRONESIA HAD 22,142 CITIZENS IN THIS AGE GROUP; IN 1983 THERE WILL BE MORE THAN 32,000. THEY WILL NEED TO BE IN SCHOOL, HAVE JOBS, HAVE SOMETHING ELSE TO DO, OR LEAVE THE AREA. THE PROBLEM IS ACCELERATING BECAUSE 50 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION IS UNDER AGE 17 AND THE AREA HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST BIRTHRATES IN THE WORLD. 50 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION IS UNDER AGE 17, AND THE OCCURRED SINCE WORLD WAR II. THE OLD SOCIAL CONTROLS OF THE VILLAGE ARE BREAKING DOWN AS YOUNG PEOPLE FLOCK TO DISTRICT CENTERS LOOKING FOR WORK. THE ELDERS CANNOT UNDERSTAND THIS NEW LIFE AWAY FROM THE VILLAGE, AND THEIR INFLUENCE IS LESSENED. SINCE JOBS ARE SCARCE, THE YOUNG PEOPLE TURN TO CRIME BOTH FOR A LIVELIHOOD AND FOR RELIEF FROM BOREDOM. THE TWO SEPARATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS ON THE ISLAND (THE CUSTOMARY OR TRADITIONAL SYSTEM AND THE U.S. SYSTEM) OFTEN CONTRADICT ONE ANOTHER. THE INEFFECTIVENESS OF CURRENT JUVENILE JUSTICE MEASURES ARE EXAMINED. NUMEROUS APPENDIXES LIST PERSONS CONTACTED FOR INTERVIEWS, COPIES OF QUESTIONNAIRES, AND OTHER STUDY DATA. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (GLR)