American and Soviet Adolescent Archetypal Heroes of the Cold War. Professional Paper.

This study explores the value-oriented behaviors associated with membership in prominent youth organizations in the Soviet Union and the United States of America during the Cold War. The archetypal heroic ideals and values of the Soviet Octoberists and Pioneers and the U.S. Boy Scout and Girl Scout organizations were examined. Key political, religious, and psychological differences were found in the Soviet and U.S. youth organizations. Somewhat surprising were the many similarities that were also found. Suggestions are offered for building individual and group identities in Russia and the United States today based upon the conscious choice of values and ideals relevant for living in the Post-Cold War era. (Contains 3 tables and 14 references.) (Author/BT)