Democracy and Delinquency An International Comparison of Youth

Democracy and Delinquency: An International Comparison of Youth Violence Associated with Alternative Lifestyles, Beliefs, and Practices Dr. Gordon A. Crews Dr. Angela D. West The Istanbul Conference on Democracy and Global Security: An International Conference June 9 -11, 2005

Democracy and Delinquency: An International Comparison of Youth Violence Associated with Alternative Lifestyles, Beliefs, and Practices n n This presentation was given as an invited presentation for The Istanbul Conference on Democracy and Global Security: An International Conference Organized by the Turkish National Police Under the Auspices of the Prime Minister of Turkey and his Excellency Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan Istanbul, Turkey June 9 -11, 2005 Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" June 9 -11, 2005 2

Introduction: Problem Statement Problems One: Existence of Groups/Behavior Two: Responses to Groups/Behavior

Problem #1 Existence

“New” Youth Groups/Interests Goths Black Circles Black Metal Bands/Fans Satanists Preppie Gangs Vampires Wiccans, Witches, Warlocks, & Magicians Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 5

Comparisons: Timeline and Type United States United Kingdom Scandinavia (Norway) (Finland) (Sweden) (*Denmark) Netherlands (*Amsterdam) (*Rotterdam) Europe (France) (Italy) (Germany) Eastern Europe (Russia) (Poland) Middle East Turkey Dates Late 1970 s Early 1990 spresent Late 1990 s Groups Heavy Metal, Satanists, Punks, Skinheads, Goth, Wiccans/ Vampires, Black Metal Punk, Skinheads, Goth, Heavy Metal, Black Metal/ Black Circles Black Metal/Black Circles Heavy Metal Satanists, Heavy Metal, Black Metal/ Black Circles, Death Metal Heavy Metal** Heavy Metal/ Satanism * no reported violence ** purported to be Satanism by government Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 6

Criminal Activity Associated with "Alternative" Beliefs & Involvements n Actual n n n n Involvement in Teenage Groups/Gangs Trespassing Vandalism Desecration of & Thefts From Churches & Cemeteries Animal Mutilations Teen Suicide Isolated Violent Incidents Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 n Perceived Child Abuse n Kidnapping n Murder n Human Sacrifice n 7

Where do they meet? n n n n n Graveyards Woods Abandoned buildings Caves Bridges Rock Quarries Churches Open Fields Abandoned factories Nightclubs n n n n Playgrounds State Parks Historical Landmarks Warehouses Ranger Outlook Stations Train Tunnels Roads/underpasses Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 8

Baroeg, Rotterdam Lime Club, Berlin Christiania, Denmark Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 Red Light District, Amsterdam Dark Friday, Berlin 9

Problem # 2 Response

What are the Perceived problems? problems • Teen Groups and/or Gangs • Appearance • Behavior Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 11

What Are the Actual problems? Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 12

Societal/Governmental Response n “Media Frenzy” n n n Media reports events/incidents~ supposed unbiased coverage Tabloid papers exploit and exaggerate Media/Tabloid Press Coverage n n Reports/Hysteria hit US media in late 1980 s Reports/Hysteria hit UK media in early 1990 s Reports/Hysteria hit Scandinavia in late 1990 s Reports/Hysteria hit Middle East in early 2000 s Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 13

Societal/Governmental Response n The phenomenon of “Witch Hunting” is still alive!!! 1. Underlying fear Usually a flaw or degree of tension in the social order before a “witch hunt” starts. 2. Trigger Some event(s) is a catalyst to mobilize the fear into action. 3. Scapegoats To expel the fear aroused by the trigger, some blame must be placed. Society looks for scapegoats to be diminished and punished for causing fear. Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 14

Societal/Governmental Response n “Political Escapism” n n Government busy suppressing acts of “youthful non -conformity” Diversion from real social issues n n Poverty, corruption, and administrative incompetence “Moral Panic” n n Old labels not threatening enough (“homosexual, ” “drug addict”) Labeling any misunderstood, feared, or superstitious group or act as “Satanic” generates public support for any governmental response Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 15

Theoretical Aspects

WHY KIDS BECOME INVOLVED Adolescence Root Causes Biological & Psychological Changes Emotional & Social Stress Identity Work Adolescent Egocentrism Imaginary Audience Invincibility Myth Poor Social Conditions Boredom Alienation Pessimism Powerlessness Poverty Low Self-Esteem Abuse Hopelessness Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 Options Gangs Drugs Sex Crime Suicide Runaway Occult & Satanism Power Identity Shock Belonging Different Cope 17

WHY CONTINUED INVOLVEMENT? Survey Trends Revealed: n Most Enjoy the “Power” Over Others n Most Believe They Are “Superior” to Others n Most Enjoy Togetherness With Groups n Many State They Found a Group Where They “Fit In” n Most picked on UNTIL they took on this identity ~ then feared by others! Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 18

Theory of Youth Alternative Lifestyle Involvement n Initial Involvement n n n Continued Involvement n n n Anomie + Social Bond (Cultural) Strain (Rebels) Labeling + Moral Panic Social Bond (Subcultural) Criminal Involvement n Social Bond (Subcultural) Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 19

Modes of Adaptation (Merton) Conformist n Ritualist n Innovator n Retreatist n Rebel n Goals Means + + -/+ Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 20

Social Bond (Hirschi) n Youth will conform to the law unless they develop weakened or broken “bonds” to society n n Attachment Commitment Belief Involvement Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 21

Labeling Theory Revisited? Appearance Reactions Acting Out Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 22

Comparisons: Goals and Means United States United Kingdom Scandinavia (Norway) (Finland) (Sweden) (*Denmark) Netherlands (*Amsterdam) (*Rotterdam) Europe (France) (Italy) (Germany) Eastern Europe (Russia) (Poland) Middle East Turkey Goal/ Focus Individual Interests/ Racial/ Religious Nationalism/ Religious Individual Interests/ Music Individual Interests/ Racial/ Nationalism/ Religious Nationalism/ Racial/ Religious Individual Interests/ Western Influences, Music Individual Interests/ Religious Means/ Behaviors Socializing, Appearance, Vandalism, Trespassing, Desecration of & Thefts From Churches & Cemeteries, Teenage Groups/ Gangs Animal Mutilations Teen Suicide Isolated Incidents Socializing, Appearance, Vandalism, Trespassing, Desecration of & Thefts From Churches & Cemeteries, Teenage Groups/Gangs, Animal Mutilations, Teen Suicide, Isolated Incidents, Church Burnings Socializing, Appearance, Propaganda, Vandalism, Trespassing, Desecration of & Thefts From Churches & Cemeteries, Teenage Groups/ Gangs, Isolated Incidents, Church Burnings Socializing, Appearance, Propaganda, Ritualistic Violence, Church Burnings Socializing, Appearance, Propaganda, Ritualistic Violence Homosexuality, Music, Mimicking Western Culture Socializing, Appearance, Ritualistic Violence * no reported violence ** purported to be Satanism by government Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 23

Theory of Youth Alternative Lifestyle Involvement High Self-Styled Practitioner Extremist Low Disregard OR Crime/ Delinquency Seek Alternative Dabbler Conformist Traditionalist Average Cultural Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 Subcultural 24

Turkey’s Experience

Turkey Examples n Istanbul: “Human Sacrifice to Satan” (1999) n n n Youth held rituals in a “disaffected arsenal” in Istanbul’s residential Atakoy district and met in heavy metal bars in the central Taksim commercial and entertainment area Two young men and one young woman offered a young woman, picked up in a bar, as a human sacrifice to Satan to stop earthquakes Victim was taken to an Ortakoy cemetery where she was stabbed and killed by hammer blows to the head; her corpse was sexually violated “in accordance with Satanist ritual” Media Response: Reports that “Satanism” had become a trend with Istanbul’s “marginal” youth Police Response: Raid the heavy metal bars Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 26

Cultural Implications for Response n Pressure to conform to “Islamic” values But who defines them? n Impact on Democratic State? n n How does a society protect it’s culture? Is culture something that lives and breathes? n Is culture a fossil that must be protected? n n How much should a society protect it’s culture from “Foreign Influences”? Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 27

Cultural Implications for Response n What are the results? Most involved are young, wealthy, and highly educated (ability to offer much to their country) n Experience official interference with their lifestyle n Great source of disillusionment (coupled with n stress over failure of governmental policies or lack of democracy) Undermines the public credibility of authorities n Many young people emigrate out of sheer frustration (talent is lost) n Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 28

Potential Problems n n n Turkey’s continuing efforts to join the EU Sweeping changes in the Penal Code Could result in anomie and uncertainty about standards of behavior Could result in more Turkish youth seeking alternative lifestyles Inadequate/effective societal and police response Perpetuation/worsening of behaviors Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 29

Responses and Results

Comparisons: Response and Results United States United Kingdom Scandinavia (Norway) (Finland) (Sweden) (*Denmark) Response Media frenzy, reports of a national “epidemic, ” portrayal as religious battle, labeling, moral panic Media frenzy, move to ban music and dress, National Reports Results Continued alienation of youth, misunderstand ing, exaggeration and perpetuation, barrier to proper response Continued alienation of youth, misundersta nding, exaggeration and perpetuation, barrier to proper response Continued alienation of youth, misunderstand ing, exaggeration and perpetuation, barrier to proper response Netherlands (*Amsterdam) (*Rotterdam) Europe (France) (Italy) (Germany) Eastern Europe (Russia) (Poland) Middle East Turkey Address individual criminal acts Media frenzy, move to ban music and dress, confiscation of materials, searches of homes Address individual criminal acts Raiding clubs, Charges of “Undermining Muslim Faith/ Opposition of Good Morals, ” Confiscating materials, Labeling, Political escapism, Creating a moral panic Media claims that Satanism a “trend” with “marginal” youth Appear to have proper response Continued alienation of youth, misunderstand ing, exaggeration and perpetuation, barrier to proper response Appear to have proper response Continued alienation of youth, misunderstandi ng, exaggeration and perpetuation, barrier to proper response Opportunity to form proper social response * no reported violence ** purported to be Satanism by government Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 31

Are These Involvements a “Bad” Influence? n What we know §Advice §Don’t make n Teenagers move assumptions on § Alienated kids with n Appealing initially problems n Answer to personal §Do NOT target kids problems §Let kids develop as n Same basic they will decisions §Show them respect n “Outlet” for juvenile depression Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 32

Possible Solutions n Self-fulfilling Prophecy n n Symbols of a New Counterculture? n n Similar to the “Hippies” Careful Dissemination of Information n n The More We Define It As an Out-of-control Teenage Problem, the More We May Drive Kids to It Those Trying to Prevent, Often Get More Kids Involved What Does Involvement Actually Show? n Extreme Pessimism, Nihilism, Hopelessness, Low Self-esteem, and Poor Social Conditions Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 33

Biggest Problem Is … Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 34

A final thought …. n “The fanaticism that destroyed the heart of a Puritan community in 1692 remains a force today, fueling a hostile intolerance that keeps us divided … This failure to see ourselves in each other’s faces will keep us separate, in the shadow of Salem, Massachusetts- unless we stand by one another, both in our streets and in our souls. ” n Jan Phillips, The Craft of the Wise, 1993 Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 35

Dr. Gordon A. Crews and Dr. Angela D. West ~ "Goth Gestalt" Summer 2005 36