What makes a young person vulnerable to extremism?
What has emerged from research is that there is no one factor that makes a young person vulnerable to becoming involved in extremism or adopting an extremist ideology, it is rather a combination of different influences and experiences. The list below is drawn from a number of different sources and is by no means comprehensive.
- To provide answers to questions of identity, faith and belonging
- For adventure and excitement
- To enhance self esteem or promote ‘street cred’
- As a result of identifying with a charismatic individual or becoming involved in a group which offers identity, a social network and support
- As a result of social isolation, poverty and lack of opportunity
- Un- or underemployment
- Fuelled by a sense of grievance (e.g. against foreign policy, or after experiences of racism and discrimination)
- Fulfils the need for mental/intellectual rigour
- Rite of passage, fighting for a cause, rebellion
- The ‘attractive’ nature of the imagery of the freedom fighter or the ‘cult’ of the martyr
- As a result of personal crisis, especially where this involves significant tensions in a family which produces a sense of isolation from the traditional certainties of family life
- The need for protection
- As a family or father substitute
Many of these factors are shared between those who have become involved in Al Qaida-associated violent extremism, and those associated with racist or far right groups. More information can be found in the Learning together to be safe toolkit – details of how to access this is included in the Further Resources section of this resource site.
