The rising incidence of Jewish teenage “anti-social behavior” was discussed at length by 51 professional workers who recently participated in a conference here of the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization’s national staff.
The group did not regard narcotic addiction as an overriding problem among Jewish teenagers but some individuals said they have observed a significant increase in the use of drugs among Jewish youth in recent years. They asserted that “it has now become fashionable and a status symbol among many Jewish middle class teenagers to smoke ‘pot’ and to ‘pop’ amphetamines.”
Acts of vandalism and irresponsibility by these middle class youth are “widespread and increasing,’ the group felt. Ben Barkin, national chairman of the B’nai B’rith Youth Commission, opined that the rise in errant behavior indicates the “aimlessness and restlessness” of youth in an affluent society. He urged that the BBYO and other youth movements “accelerate their efforts to involve young people in relevant learning and action programs within the Jewish tradition.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
