General Chat

Having read several articles recently about young people, who it is alleged, have been radicalised by extremist Jihadist groups, and then gone to fight in trouble spots in the Middle East, my concerns about the future and what part young people will play in that, have been raised several notches.

It appears some young people are far from happy with what is happening in the world today, after reading some of the reports, I worry how, in the years ahead, young people will express their dissatisfaction of the political agendas of Western democracies including that of the UK - do you have concerns or answers on how to deal with this growing problem?

Have young people EVER been happy with what is happening in the world?
When I was young, it was protests against the Vietnam war.

I can recall demonstrations over the Vietnam war and other conflicts, iust as I can recall the Ban the Bomb protests - the latter vividly, as I got 21 days jankers after I was photographed holding a CND poster in Trafalgar Square - I was in my army uniform :-(

These were peaceful demonstrations albeit some did turn nasty, I think they were different from the way some young people are deciding to show how disaffected they feel today.

They don't feel they belong, they have become disillusioned with all political parties, they feel they are being ignored, they feel alienated, they feel they are being excluded and have no voice in the decision making process, as a result they seek out something where they have a feeling of belonging, something that empathises with their beliefs, something where they think their voice will be listened to - alas some choose to join radical groups while others join street gangs.

It is not just Islam that has radicalized children.

Jehovah's Witnesses bring their children out on the knocker.

I think they have genuine concerns for the population in Syria and this is being exploited.

My aunt's fiance went to Spain to fight in the civil war. The young will always be vulnerable to influence, sometimes rightly.

Sharron - I think many religious groups have a lot to answer for in that respect.

I agree.
There is a danger of thinking that the words "Islam" and "radicalisation" go hand in hand and yet it can apply to many religious sects and groups from christians to Moslems to Branch Davidians.
As for the original question, I think that radicalisation comes about not necessarily because of groups of people becoming disenfranchised or marginalised but because they are not shown or taught how to deal with their concerns in the correct manner. Some are taught that the only way forward is to go down these radical routes.

its a bit like everybody fighting over

who's imaginary god the best


its a shame some people are so gullible :-( :-(

When I was a teenager, a long time ago, most villages, towns, and cities, had thriving youth clubs, Scout & Cub groups, Guide and Brownies groups, Cadet groups etc, many still have, alas there are not enough to cater for the number of young people in some of our larger towns and cities. These organisations enabled young people to feel they belonged and that they were a part of a community, something that many feel they are not part of today.

Over the past 35 years, I think the policies, of governments of all persuasions, have contributed to the dissent we are seing today, communities have been fragmented in some cases obliterated, as a result, many of the facilities where young people could participate in activities, mix with others of their age group, and learn social skills, have disappeared, is it any wonder that the group which are the future of this country, the youth of today - feel they do not belong.

Playing the the blame game, by accusing this religious group or that religious group, will not solve the problem, governments have to wake up, they need to realise that the UK today is a multicultural society, and they need to include everyone, no matter what their colour, class, or belief - in the decision making process, especially young people.

If they don't I fear that the extreme views we have seen reported recently, will be the tip of the iceberg, because more and more of those with extremist agendas will exploit young people to further their causes, as a result, what we will see in years to come, is more and more young people, not only voicing extreme views, but taking action against those who do not support such views :-(

The government has cut funding to Councils, who, in turn have cut finding to many services, both for the young and the old.
They also expect their staff to do at least three times the amount of work, and those jobs they can't fill, they ask for 'volunteers' to do!

West Sussex used to be divided into about 6 areas for the purpose of the administration of Youth Services (ie youth clubs/extra school activities etc) with 2 full time admin per area, to deal with official forms, building maintenance, funding, paying of bills etc.
Now they've closed a few youth clubs, reduced this to 2 areas, with 2 part time admin for each area, and have asked for volunteers to help with the admin!
So, they admit the job is too big for the reduced admin, and instead of employing, a few young people, they're after volunteers!

These experienced admin will only take being sh*t upon from a height for so long - then there will be no experienced admin, and chaos will reign.

It's happening everywhere. Mind you, the overpaid 'decision makers' in every council are quite snug in their little 'jobs for the boys' nests.

Cannot argue with anything you said there maggiewinchester - it is all about saving money to reduce the deficit, the deficit we were told would be cleared in the life of this Parliament - some reports say that if the Chancellor George Osborne continues to reduce the deficit at the current rate it will take many more years of austerity and cuts to achieve that - has not stopped some ministers jetting off to Brazil for the World Cup ;-)

Do you think that some of these young people who choose to go to Syria (for example) to fight, see it as exciting and glamorous? Is it a search for adventure that takes them in the available but maybe wrong direction?

AnninGlos - I definitely think they are seeking something, a sense of purpose, a sense of belonging, adventure, frustration, or a combination of these.