Young people don’t find disagreements problematic—but how we sometimes deal with them does. This is evident from a new report on the youth perspective on polarization, “From Division to Connection.” The report combines young people’s experiences with insights from scientific research. It also offers concrete solutions, devised by young people themselves, to work towards a society in which disagreements are allowed to exist without being disruptive.

Societal concerns about polarization are significant. The latest SIRE campaign, for example, urges us not to lose sight of each other as polarization approaches. Young people, who are fully engaged in who they are and how they relate to others, play a key role in this conversation.

The report offers concrete tips for young people, parents, politicians, teachers, and policymakers. The goal: to contribute to a society in which differences are allowed to exist without being disruptive, and in which connection remains central.

Young people want to learn to deal with differences, but experience barriers

The report shows that young people are open to other opinions. Yet, they sometimes find it difficult to share their own opinions because it could offend others or damage relationships. They therefore see an important role for schools: more attention to conversational skills and dealing with diversity of opinions. They also call on adults, such as parents, teachers, and politicians, to set an example.

Three key messages from the research:

• One in two young people is concerned about polarization, particularly about how we deal with differences of opinion. For example, young people experience that people think negatively about those with differing opinions.
• Young people want to learn to better manage diversity. In disagreements, they usually do their best to understand the other person better and find common ground.
• Young people expect adults to lead by example. Their solutions, such as allowing each other to speak their minds, discussing what they encounter online, and calling each other out on hate speech, are intended for all generations. Young people believe that politicians bear extra responsibility in this regard: “Politicians need to fix their attitude.”

View the report’s one-pager below (in Dutch):

A unique collaboration

“From division to connection” was developed within a transdisciplinary project involving intensive collaboration between young people, theater makers, and academics. The parties involved include YoungXperts, Erasmus SYNC Lab, Healthy Start, TIME OUT., STAD, Lieve Mark, Hot Politics Lab, Project Media Minds, and Albeda.

Read more about the Polarization project here:Ambition project | Youth perspectives on polarization – Convergence