Youth Identity, Peace and Conflict: Insights from Conflict and Diverse Settings

Abstract

Many of today’s youth are growing up and developing their sense of self in settings where identities are contested. Such identity dynamics play a key role in societal functioning, with group conflict often arising and being maintained due to competing social identities. Understanding how youth develop these social identities, and the consequences for peaceful and violent behaviours is of urgent importance in order to design appropriate policies and interventions. Much of the social psychological research on identity is based on social identity theory, which posits that we divide our world into social categories and define ourselves in terms of group belonging. The expressions of these social identities can be both positive and negative in how they are manifested in conflict and diverse settings. Whilst research often focuses on the negative side of identification (e.g., prejudice), identities can also be a source of peace; fostering individual belonging in society and under certain conditions, collective identities can also bring together groups in conflict. In this chapter, we briefly review the development of adolescent ethnic identity and then focus on the impact of identity for youth in conflict and diverse settings, highlighting positive and negative effects. This includes a consideration of the consequences of identity for peaceful and non-peaceful behaviours in Northern Ireland as well as how identity develops for ethnic minority youth in England. We conclude by providing suggestions for policy, practice and future research, arguing that a comprehensive account of the role of youth in society cannot be complete without understanding the development and consequences of identity processes.

Is positive youth development a pathway for sustaining peace in Tanzania? Predicting peace attitudes among adolescents.

“…The challenge for Tanzania, as with other African nations, is to continue forging an identity that includes multiple aspects and transcends borders (Johnson et al, 2012). This type of identity development tends to promote prosocial attitudes (such as inclusivity) among youth that can have a positive influence on peace and security (McKeown et al, 2020).…”

“…Beyond a vulnerability perspective, individual resiliencies and social strengths create a platform for peace. Indeed, when it comes to peacebuilding, efforts rooted in a social–ecological framework, such as positive youth development (PYD), are critical (McKeown et al, 2020). In sub-Saharan Africa, understanding youths’ attitudes about peace and participation could allow for the cultivation of resiliencies, including commitment and capacity to work for a harmonious and just society (Johnson et al, 2012; Kibanja et al, 2013).…”

Legacy and Rupture: The Political Learning of Young Left-wing Basque Nationalists in the Post-ETA Period

“…In these circumstances, the persistence of beliefs, attitudes and practices held at an early age linked to family political socialization constitute a threat to political stability. Thus, socialization emerges as a key process relevant to conflict over both the preservation and elimination of intergenerational intergroup divisions (McKeown et al, 2020; Reidy et al, 2015; Taylor et al, 2018; Taylor & McKeown, 2019) and controversy over the construction of narratives around conflict (Velte, 2018).…”