The survey "Intolerance and culture of violence among youth in Sweden" was designed with an aim to reveal existing trends and patterns of radicalization and manifestation of violence among the youth living in Sweden. The information gathered through this survey will be used for the evidence-based research and design of projects and strategies for overcoming radicalization among the youth.
This survey was conducted in the four Peace & Love Vector partner countries: Armenia, Estonia, Sweden and Ukraine. Young Swedes and residents in Sweden were asked to answer our survey via social media. Our objective was to collect useful information about this topic, in order to deliver better actions in our everyday youthwork and local activities.
You can download the PDF report about Sweden here.
Definitions of intolerance and radicalism can vary a lot – everyone perceives them in different ways, and it can be challenging in the process of collecting and analyzing data. We can define intolerance as “unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect persons of a different social group” but also “their opinions or beliefs, as perceived contrary to one's own”. The term radicalization here is defined as a “personal process in which individuals adopt extreme political, social and/or religious ideas and where the attainment of particular goals justifies the use of indiscriminate violence”.
This survey was conducted in the four Peace & Love Vector partner countries: Armenia, Estonia, Sweden and Ukraine. Young Swedes and residents in Sweden were asked to answer our survey via social media. Our objective was to collect useful information about this topic, in order to deliver better actions in our everyday youthwork and local activities.
You can download the PDF report about Sweden here.
Definitions of intolerance and radicalism can vary a lot – everyone perceives them in different ways, and it can be challenging in the process of collecting and analyzing data. We can define intolerance as “unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect persons of a different social group” but also “their opinions or beliefs, as perceived contrary to one's own”. The term radicalization here is defined as a “personal process in which individuals adopt extreme political, social and/or religious ideas and where the attainment of particular goals justifies the use of indiscriminate violence”.
A. Slideshow of graphics
B. Commentary
1. General profile of respondents (Q 1 to 5)
Since this survey was aimed mainly at youth, three out of four respondents are young (under 35). The large majority of our respondents live in Stockholm or in another city/town. Only a few are from rural areas (so this survey cannot be considered representative of a non-urban environment).
Most of them are highly educated and currently employed. 50% of them are youth-workers while 50% work in other fields. There is an almost perfect balance between male and female; the “third option” is included, enabling everybody to be equally represented.
2. Causes of violence and intolerance spread (Q8 graph)
“Family environment” (culture of violence embedded in family education) and “TV and Mass Media” are considered the most important causes of the spread of violence within society, together with “Social Media” (probably due to hating and fake news spreading, but also due to the possibility of hide oneself behind and avatar) and “Political Parties” (probably due to propaganda). “Education environment” is way lower, since school is generally considered to be a positive place for inclusion and tolerance (that could also re-balance an intolerant “family environment”).
3. Trends of radicalization (Q10 graph)
Although we cannot know how much radicalized it is from a technical point of view (see the definition above), “Racism” is considered to be the most common trend, together with “nationalism” by our respondents.
4. Manifestations of intolerance (Q11 graph + Q9 answers)
Q11 graph has to be read together with the answers given to Q9 - "most common kinds of violent behavior noticed among the youth living in a community are" (shown in order of occurence):
- Verbal-related: hate speech, insults, swearing (also known as “microaggressions”)
- Hooliganism, drunken aggression
- Crime-related: theft, robberies etc. (violence not related to intolerance)
- Racism
- Bullying and cyber-bullying
- Sexism, Sexual assaults, harassment
- Exclusion
- Vandalism
- Threats
- Discrimination towards LGBTI people
- Violence towards animals
5. Frequency rate of intolerance/violence (Q13 graph) and Reactions to intolerance/violence (Q12 graph)
In order to correctly read this graph, please bear in mind the difference between perceived and actual violence.
6. Targets of intolerance/violence (Q14 graphs + Q15 answers)
Q14 asked to identify the occurence of violence against different target groups provided. Violence against “representatives of other nationalities/foreigners” and “national and ethnic minorities” received similar high ratings, followed by violence against “LGBTI people” and “Representatives of other religions” or “religious minorities”.
We can compare these graphs with the answers given to Q15 - "Provide examples of violence towards these different vulnerable groups":
- None (it is worth noticing the fact that a large amount of people seem not able to provide an example – this might highlight the difference between real and perceived level of violence)
- Racism, aggression towards minorities (including bullying, staring, keeping distance, hate speech)
- Fights, bullying among same national group
- Insults and attacks towards refugees
- Hate speech and attacks LGBTI community
- Sexism, discrimination of women
- Attacking people on the base of religion, damaging places of worship
- Sexual harassment and rape
- Gang-related violence
- Bullying towards disables
1. General profile of respondents (Q 1 to 5)
Since this survey was aimed mainly at youth, three out of four respondents are young (under 35). The large majority of our respondents live in Stockholm or in another city/town. Only a few are from rural areas (so this survey cannot be considered representative of a non-urban environment).
Most of them are highly educated and currently employed. 50% of them are youth-workers while 50% work in other fields. There is an almost perfect balance between male and female; the “third option” is included, enabling everybody to be equally represented.
2. Causes of violence and intolerance spread (Q8 graph)
“Family environment” (culture of violence embedded in family education) and “TV and Mass Media” are considered the most important causes of the spread of violence within society, together with “Social Media” (probably due to hating and fake news spreading, but also due to the possibility of hide oneself behind and avatar) and “Political Parties” (probably due to propaganda). “Education environment” is way lower, since school is generally considered to be a positive place for inclusion and tolerance (that could also re-balance an intolerant “family environment”).
3. Trends of radicalization (Q10 graph)
Although we cannot know how much radicalized it is from a technical point of view (see the definition above), “Racism” is considered to be the most common trend, together with “nationalism” by our respondents.
4. Manifestations of intolerance (Q11 graph + Q9 answers)
Q11 graph has to be read together with the answers given to Q9 - "most common kinds of violent behavior noticed among the youth living in a community are" (shown in order of occurence):
- Verbal-related: hate speech, insults, swearing (also known as “microaggressions”)
- Hooliganism, drunken aggression
- Crime-related: theft, robberies etc. (violence not related to intolerance)
- Racism
- Bullying and cyber-bullying
- Sexism, Sexual assaults, harassment
- Exclusion
- Vandalism
- Threats
- Discrimination towards LGBTI people
- Violence towards animals
5. Frequency rate of intolerance/violence (Q13 graph) and Reactions to intolerance/violence (Q12 graph)
In order to correctly read this graph, please bear in mind the difference between perceived and actual violence.
6. Targets of intolerance/violence (Q14 graphs + Q15 answers)
Q14 asked to identify the occurence of violence against different target groups provided. Violence against “representatives of other nationalities/foreigners” and “national and ethnic minorities” received similar high ratings, followed by violence against “LGBTI people” and “Representatives of other religions” or “religious minorities”.
We can compare these graphs with the answers given to Q15 - "Provide examples of violence towards these different vulnerable groups":
- None (it is worth noticing the fact that a large amount of people seem not able to provide an example – this might highlight the difference between real and perceived level of violence)
- Racism, aggression towards minorities (including bullying, staring, keeping distance, hate speech)
- Fights, bullying among same national group
- Insults and attacks towards refugees
- Hate speech and attacks LGBTI community
- Sexism, discrimination of women
- Attacking people on the base of religion, damaging places of worship
- Sexual harassment and rape
- Gang-related violence
- Bullying towards disables