| Abstract [eng] |
The aim of this study is to explore how conscription-age Lithuanian youth who avoid Compulsory Military Service (CMS) explain their decision and how they perceive and conceptualize the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The analysis is based on classical sociological and criminological theories – D. Matza's theory of techniques of neutralization, R. Inglehart's theory of value change, the social anomie theories of E. Durkheim and R. Merton, etc. Drawing on these theoretical frameworks, the study argues that the phenomenon of CMS avoidance stems from a mismatch between the value systems of the individuals and the military, as well as from an individualistic orientation among the youth. Due to the incomplete institutionalization of the Conscription Law within the social structure, this phenomenon can be seen as a product of social anomie. The study is structured around three main objectives: to analyze the said theoretical frameworks; to conduct an empirical qualitative research into the perceptions and experiences of young men avoiding CMS; and to interpret the findings through the lens of the selected theories to understand how this avoidance is framed within the sociological-criminological discourse. The empirical data was collected through semi-structured interviews with informants. The interview transcripts were coded and analyzed using the principles of thematic analysis. The results show that youth who avoid CMS justify their decisions primarily through strong personal attitudes – e.g. individualism, careerism – and a predominantly negative perception of the military and service within it. The Conscription Law and the current system for drafting conscripts were also heavily criticized. Although respondents employed techniques of neutralization, they did not perceive themselves as deviants and expressed no feelings of guilt or shame for avoiding service. Consequently, CMS avoidance can be interpreted as a product of social anomie – the Conscription Law remains insufficiently institutionalized within the social structure, and multiple legitimate or tolerated avenues for avoiding service exist, making the perception of CMS as that of not a norm among young people. |
