Impact of the legal system as a social institute on growth of destructive forms of behavior among young people

Introduction: considering the current geopolitical situation and characteristics of the modern type of society, it is important to investigate the situation that is taking shape with regard to the legal system as an institution of social control over the compliance with social norms. Purpose: to define the place and role of the legal system in the growth of destructive forms of behavior among young people and in changes concerning the system of social norms. Methods: secondary analysis of official statistics (Rosstat, Belstat, Eurostat, Statistisches Bundesamt) using the methods of statistical analysis (comparison, modeling, conjugacy analysis and correlation analysis). Results: the secondary analysis of official statistical data from different countries shows rather a distressing and contradictory picture: along with a visible decrease in recorded juvenile delinquency, there is still a stable situation with crime among people who have just left the ranks of minors. This highlights the need not only to discuss the problem but also to develop actions regarding the legal system as an institution of social control and its effective functioning. Conclusions: optimization of the legal system aimed at increasing its effectiveness as a social control institution should be conducted on the interdisciplinary, interdepartmental and inter-level basis. It is a scientific approach that should be taken as a fundamental principle in developing strategies, tactics and methods to resolve destructive situations in the society as a social system. The main actions should include: establishing a systematic interdisciplinary monitoring of the situation in the society regarding the nature of the deviations manifested; predicting and modeling possible directions for changing the situation; developing legal documents of different levels that could eliminate the contradictions arising in functioning of the legal and social system as a whole; optimizing resources for effective confronting destructiveness in the modern world.