The Threat of Nuclear War and the Nuclear Arms Race: Adolescent Experience and Perceptions

Abstract

In this pilot study, thirty-one high school students from Boston and surrounding communities were interviewed to learn about the impact on their lives of the threat of nuclear annihilation and to explore their perceptions of the surrounding political context. Issues discussed included extent of the interviewees' awareness of the nuclear threat; perceptions of personal and national security; assignment of responsibility and blame; views on the U.S.-Soviet relationship and leadership; and visions of the future. A certain consistency emerges in the responses. The horror of nuclear war is immediate and vivid for these young people. Death is the fate they expect, if not imminently, then within their lifetimes. Most live on two levels, thinking there will be no future, and still making plans as if there will be. These teenagers would not like to live in a situation where the Soviets have nuclear weapons and the United States does not. Yet they experience little safety or security from nuclear weapons. Almost all question the political mentality of our country and its leadership. They experience an intense sense of helplessness and see the world as increasingly chaotic and out of control, run by technology rather than human beings. The sense of futurelessness which pervades the interviews stems not only from the nuclear threat itself but also from perceptions that the adult generation is unable, or unwilling, to halt the arms race. The findings of this study suggests that adults need to be aware of and acknowledge adolescents' feelings and views about the nuclear threat, and educate young people to the realities of the nuclear arms race so that they can at least overcome that aspect offear which stems from ignorance. Finally, adults need to provide constructive channels through