Youth Violence in the Macedonian Society

We have a well developed and growing cult of violence and anti-civilization values in Macedonia

The growing youth violence in Macedonia is mostly on ethnic ground. Undoubtedly, youth violence can’t be signed off only as a reaction to violent TV programs and computer games. Certainly, share of the influence lays with electronic products, but the problem is much deeper. We have a well developed and growing cult of violence and anti-civilization values in Macedonia.

Let’s face the reality. Youth violence, particularly ethnically motivated, is a consequence of damaging policies of the state institutions, destructive actions of the political elites, and deeply rooted prejudices and intolerance in the society. When you live in a country where discrimination is institutionalized, and the everyday life and education process are full of national-chauvinistic contents and masculinity manners, children and youth are the first victims.

Ethnically motivated violence and violence in general is tolerated, even instigated at home, to begin with. Equally, if not more harmful is the influence at school. They are surrounded with textbooks and teachers who are a product of extremely irresponsible educational policies. One has to consider that youth violence in general is often consequence of the negative atmosphere and ethnic intolerance in the society. Intolerance can be easily channeled and transformed into ethnic hatred resulting into violence.

I have no intentions to scare the public, but we all have to consider that the path from cold weapons to firearms is very short. Having in mind the current situation and trends, the day when we will watch news on exchange of fire between minors that were shooting at representatives of, for them, antagonized ethnic group – is not far. Such tragedy will have far-reaching consequences over the security and development of the country. Parents, teachers and the state institutions have to understand that such possibility hangs in the air and is very real.

We witnessed worrying signals and alarming events more than enough, but no consequent reaction by the society and the state was taken. That cannot be unintended. However, the one think that seems not to reach the minds of policy makers and their subjects is that this is not a happy ending story.

Xhabir M. Deralla