Law 4000/1958: The "Teddy Boys" Law in Greece

Introduction to Law 4000/1958
Law 4000/1958, commonly referred to as "Law 4000," was enacted by the Greek government under Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis in 1958. This decree was introduced to address the behavior of certain youth groups, colloquially known as "Teddy Boys" (ten-ti-bois in Greek), whose conduct was deemed insolent and provocative by the government of the time.

The law imposed penalties for acts of insult or public misconduct. Young offenders were arrested by the police, subjected to humiliating punishments such as having their hair shaved off, and then paraded publicly in a degrading manner. The law faced significant criticism for promoting public shaming and allowing police broad discretion in defining what constituted insulting behavior, leading to widespread abuses. In some cases, even the parents of underage offenders were prosecuted.

Today, many draw parallels between the "Teddy Boys" and modern-day protestors or social movements, often comparing the punitive approach of Law 4000 to other methods of controlling dissent.

The First Implementation of the Law (1958)
Law 4000 came into effect on September 10, 1958, and its first high-profile enforcement involved four young men accused of insulting behavior. These individuals were publicly humiliated on the streets of Athens: their heads were shaved, and one of them was forced to wear a sign that read, "We are Teddy Boys, and we threw yogurt at a woman."

This incident was widely publicized and inspired the 1962 film Law 4000 by Yannis Dalianidis, which dramatized the events surrounding the law’s implementation. The law gained further notoriety during Greece's military junta period, when it was used to target political dissidents and countercultural youth such as long-haired hippies.

Origins of the Yogurt Throwing Phenomenon
The practice of yogurt-throwing began among wealthy urban youth in Athens during the late 1950s, in neighborhoods like Kypseli, Thiseio, and Metaxourgeio. These acts, often targeting women or authority figures, were seen as rebellious pranks but were treated as serious offenses under the new legislation.

The First Case: Antonis Malandris
The first individual publicly humiliated under Law 4000 was a young man named Antonis Malandris. On August 31, 1958, Malandris and a friend, aged 15 and 16 respectively, were accused of throwing yogurt at a woman near their neighborhood in Kypseli. According to contemporary reports, the incident occurred after the boys allegedly harassed the woman's daughter. However, decades later, alternative accounts suggested the event stemmed from a dispute over insults exchanged in a cinema.

Despite their clean criminal records, the two boys were arrested, had their heads shaved under the supervision of Athens Police Chief Theodoros Rakintzis, and were paraded through the streets wearing signs detailing their supposed crimes. The harsh treatment they endured set a precedent for future enforcement of the law.

Public Backlash and Broader Application
Over time, the definition of "Teddy Boys" expanded to include not just rebellious youth but also older individuals who challenged societal norms. The law's arbitrary enforcement led to growing public disapproval. One notable incident occurred in 1964 when two young men, aged 19 and 20, were arrested for painting artistic designs on each other's shaved heads. Such acts, seen as humorous or creative, were treated as criminal under the law.

Enforcement During the Junta (1967–1974)
During the military dictatorship (1967–1974), Law 4000 was revived and strictly enforced, particularly against countercultural groups like beatniks and hippies. Youth with long hair were often targeted, with the junta's officials deeming their appearance and behavior as subversive. Ioannis Ladas, a colonel and later commander of the Military Police (ESA), described such individuals as "unwashed long-haired beggars" and justified the punishments as a way to "cut their mentality" rather than just their hair.

Abolition of Law 4000
Law 4000 was ultimately abolished in 1983 by Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou as part of broader efforts to dismantle the authoritarian legacies of Greece's post-Civil War era. The last recorded enforcement of the law occurred in 1981 under the government of Georgios Rallis.

Legacy and Cultural Impact
Law 4000 is remembered as a symbol of authoritarianism and public humiliation. Its enforcement highlighted the challenges of balancing discipline with respect for human dignity. Today, the law serves as a historical example of how legal measures can be misused to suppress dissent and stigmatize youth culture.