It can happen to anyone: one moment, your son is an innocent Wilders-fan or an ordinary orthodox Muslim and the next, he's the new Anders Breivik or Mohammed Bouyeri. Parents, teachers and social workers are helpless to do anything to stop it.
Jean Tillie, professor of political science in Amsterdam and a former radical anarchist says radicalism is a phenomenon that occurs in every age:
“Sometimes it's left-wing radicalism, sometimes it's right-wing radicalism and sometimes it's Muslim-radicalism. Here in the Netherlands we even have a radical populist party in the lower house of parliament. That proves that it's possible to have radicalism in a democracy."
Forum, an organisation that studies the multicultural society, has set up a (Dutch-language) website to help parents, teachers and youth workers spot potential radicals before they escalate into something dangerous.
Experience shows that parents either don't notice the development of radical ideas or don't take them seriously; teachers rarely do anything about radical students and social workers have no idea how to tackle radicalisation.
For parents who are worrying about the ideas and opinions expressed by their child, there are a number of signs to look out for:
1. My child is socially isolated
When children go through puberty, they frequently withdraw from family life to a certain degree and may spend long periods of time alone in their own room. It's normal and usually nothing to worry about. Professor Tillie: “It's not about the fact that the child doesn't have many friends, it's about the feeling of being completely alone."
2. My child suddenly looks very different
A sudden change of appearance is a possible sign of radicalisation. Has your son suddenly started growing a beard and wearing a djellabah or has he shaved his head and taken to wearing bomber jackets and combat boots?
Professor Tillie: "When I was in my teens, punk was at its height, so suddenly changing one's appearance was pretty normal. But there's more to it than that, a radical punk is usually interested in music or art and that's very different from a sudden interest in politics."
3. My child's grades have plummeted
Radicalisation and a dramatic drop in school results frequently go hand-in-hand but there are exceptions: “I was 17 when I started radicalising and although I devoted less time to schoolwork, I still managed to get the same grades," says Professor Tillie.
However, a sudden fall in grades does not necessarily mean that your child is turning into a dangerous radical.
4. My child's friends are obvious radicals
If your child's new friends are shaven-headed neo-Nazis or radical Muslims, it's a definite sign. It could be a storm in a teacup but it's obvious that he (or she) is associating with people who affirm and reinforce extremely radical ideas. The professor adds that now is the time to ask some critical questions, otherwise extreme radicalisation may be just around the corner.
5. My child spends hours and hours surfing the net.
This is fairly typical teenage behaviour; however, the internet is certainly a medium that can promote and encourage radical ideas. Professor Tillie - who turned into a radical anarchist without the benefit of the internet - says:
“The disadvantage of the internet is that you’re sitting alone behind your computer; it’s actually far better to be in a real, physical group, discussing ideas. There is far less control on the internet and therefore the discussions and ideas are that much more radical."
6. My child only talks about ‘us against them’
Dividing the world up into two groups that are diametrically opposed to one another is an important element in the radicalisation process, especially if one group is demonised or dehumanised. If your child is referring to Muslims or Americans as rats or apes, then it's time to intervene. Professor Tillie: “In my time, it was capitalists; in our eyes they were animals."
7. My child has had a humiliating experience
Home and family life appears to have very little influence on radicalisation. Professor Tillie:
“Radicals come from broken homes as well as ordinary families. There is some anecdotal evidence that suggests humiliating experiences may contribute to radicalisation. It could be either physical or mental abuse."
If you suspect that your child is radicalising, the best thing you can do is talk to them. But that is easier said than done. Professor Tillie:
“You have to take the person seriously because there's always a kernel of truth somewhere. There's always a way to start a discussion and a way to take ideas seriously without affirming radical viewpoints."
(jric)
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Rather useless initiative: when someone is radicalizing there is a very remote chance they would be signaled in team. Most of the most dangerous psychopaths/sociopaths go unnoticed and are extremely good at hiding their agenda.
Terrorism can be defined as "a terroristic method of governing or of resisting a government." You stated "The word terrorist implies the intention to hurt." Therefore, when you stated "'All terrorists wish to inflict harm.' Correct statement.", you "implied": That the Dutch court, who put Wilders on the dock for his speech, were terrorists because he resisted the Dutch government by "hurting" and hendering it's immigration policies. The Dutch court hurt Wilders psychologically by putting him on trial for his speech of resistence against insane government polices. The trial was a form of terrorism because it was meant to "hurt" Wilders psychologically and it was coercion at it's best. Allsome, I don't think you know the difference beteen "all" and "some". Why? Because I never said "all" Muslims, Christians, Hindus were terrrorist. P.S. Do you think Daniel Pearl enjoyed the "warm hospitality" of the country where he was beheaded? I am sure he enjoyed the warm hospitality of many good and kind Muslims but he unfortunely fail into the hands of a few Muslims who were on a Jihad and were not so kind and warm. They also murdered him because he was a Jewish person. Have you read the Quran and it's view on the treatment of Jewish people? It is not the Muslim people. It is the teachings and it teaches that it is okay to "hurt" non-believers and Jews. Therefore, if it is okay to "hurt" someone, do you not see how your statement "The word terrorist implies the intention to hurt" can be applied to the teachings of the Jihadists? You are quick to judge Wilders for his speech but you say nothing about the "hurt" speech of the immams and it's teachings. Questions: If someone makes a statement on the internet to hurt someone psychologically, does that make him a internet terrorist? If someone knows of a danger around the curb, should he say something about it or let those who travel around the curve find out about the danger on their own? Wilders and many others like him have been around the curve and have seen the dangers. If you don't care about the dangers so be it.
Awesome did you notice the quotes on "us" and "them". It was a play with the words. I am sorry you couldn't grasp the concept; but, when one is "awesome" like you, it is understandable why you didn't grasp the play with the words. I believe you when you stated my claim was "demonstrably" false. Stop staring at your reflection in the pool of water. You will then see that the world is "us" and not just "you". Your view of the world is demonstrably false. P.S. I wonder if Daniel Pearl, a Wall Street reporter, who was beheaded in a Muslim country would agree with your statement "Any westerner who has ever enjoyed the warm hospitality granted visitors to a Muslim country would recognise your claim as demonstrably false."?
Hiram, I think you're struggling with the different concepts of 'all' and 'some'. It's probably not your fault. I doubt you could be taught at such an advanced age. I'll try anyways. Read these sentences:
'All terrorists wish to inflict harm.' Correct statement. The word terrorist implies the intention to hurt. 'All' is appropriate here.
'All extreme right wing Christians are terrorists.' False. Just because someone like yourself adheres to the same philosophy as Breivik, does not make you a terrorist. You type like a terrorist, Hiram, but I doubt you intend to do anything about it. 'Some' is a better fit for that statement.
You're welcome.
"6. My child only talks about ‘us against them’
Dividing the world up into two groups that are diametrically opposed to one another is an important element in the radicalisation process, especially if one group is demonised or dehumanised. If your child is referring to Muslims or Americans as rats or apes, then it's time to intervene. Professor Tillie: “In my time, it was capitalists; in our eyes they were animals." Response: If we are all part of humanity, then we need to make sure all humans are treated with equal respect. If we standby and do not speak against the inhumanity of Islam in it's treatment of women and non-believers, then we lack humanity. Do we standby and allow women to be beaten because they refuse to cover their faces or because they do not dress according to their religious dogmas. We need to teach our children that all humans, regardless of their religion, will be treated fairly. Teach them to stand-up and speak-out against those who would destroy the lives of others because they don't believe as they do. It is us against them because "them" don't care about "us" who are not Muslims. Do they care when they block traffic in public streets for their prayers? No! Why, because they perceive the world as "them" against "us" and that is a fact. They, Muslims, are not rats or animals. They are humans who believe that non-Muslims and Believers of the Book are animals and thus worthy of being murdered.
Thank you Hiram, for providing an example of exactly what I was talking about. If you were a teenager instead of an elderly person, I'd be really worried about where your 'us versus them' mentality might take you.
Any westerner who has ever enjoyed the warm hospitality granted visitors to a Muslim country would recognise your claim as demonstrably false. Now that you're retired, Hiram, maybe you should travel more. Just leave the weaponry at home. You'll be fine without it.
Number 6 seems the most obvious symptom to look for. Dehumanising other groups of people seems to be a chilling precedent to the most cruel and inhuman acts of violence historically and in modern times. We need to emphasise to our kids that despite our differences, we are all part of humanity.
“You have to take the person seriously because there's always a kernel of truth somewhere. There's always a way to start a discussion and a way to take ideas seriously without affirming radical viewpoints."...Response: Radical viewpoints by radical people change the world. They are the people who make or cause change, i.e., American revolution, French revolution, Worrld War II, and the wars in the Middle East and throughout the world. How do you "Recognising a Washington, Jefferson, Hitler, Stalin, and the many other radicals who have changed the world"?
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