Dualistic view on youth
Among politicians, there is a strong tendency to see youth as a problem to be solved, according to the dualistic view on them of being either victim or perpetrator in conflict. The “youth bulge theory” pictures crises as something inevitable in societies with a large percent of young people, especially young men. In violent conflict, youth become synonymous with threatening young men, and are thought to be dangerous to national security. Women are often invisible or passive victims.
The same dualism is present in times of peace, young people are either troublemakers or they are straight-A-students. Yet, the influence exerted on youth whether to doing good or bad is mostly decisive. Most young people are able to find joy and enthusiasm in what they like to do. It is this motivation that has to be met with opportunities to peaceful activism.
Indifference of youth
An opinion points in the direction that youth are often indifferent towards political and social processes. Young people need to be aware of the fact that it is them who will have to live in the world which older generations are leaving behind. They need to understand that engaging in politics, development and action for a peaceful society means working for prosperity, peace and inclusion for themselves and their children.
This is often due to mistrust youth may have of the state because of their marginalization.