YOUTH DEVIANT BEHAVIOR INFORMAL SOCIAL CONTROL: APPROACHES AND CONCEPTUAL SCHEME

Abstract

Introduction. The article discusses modern approaches to understanding informal social control of deviant
behavior. The purpose of the article is to develop a conceptual scheme of informal social control of deviant
behavior of young people, combining theoretical approaches and empirical data. In particular, the main levels
and mechanisms, agents, factors and risks of the effectiveness of informal social control of deviant behavior are
analyzed. Special attention is paid to the role of the family, peers, educational institutions and digital communities
in regulating deviant manifestations.
Materials and methods.The articleuses generalscientific researchmethodssuch as document analysis,synthesis,
logical induction method and others. The information base ofthe article consists of scientific research and empirical research. In the process of creating the conceptual scheme, the hypothetical-deductive method was used.
Results. The theoretical analysis made it possible to identify the following basic sociological approaches
to understanding informal social control: the interactionist approach (the theory of labeling), the theory of
social connections, and the theory of social networks. Special attention is paid to the age theory of informal
social control. A conceptual scheme of informal social control of deviant behavior of young people has also been
developed, integrating micro-, meso-and macrosocial levels of influence. The elements of the conceptual scheme
are agents of social control, levels of social control, mechanisms and factors of social control.
Discussion. Informal social control of deviant behavior of young people in the modern world is a key
mechanism in conditions of weakening the influence of formal institutions. In this regard, the focus should be not
only on informal negative sanctions, but also on the development of positive reward systems. Research shows the
effectiveness of these measures in controlling youth deviations. The levels identified as a result of the study and
their corresponding agents and mechanisms of informal social control of deviant behavior of young people are key
to developing a system of measures to prevent and prevent undesirable behavior of young people.