The Rise of Xenophobia and Homophobia Among Youth in Switzerland*
An Alarming Radicalization
Young people aged 15 to 25 are increasingly displaying xenophobic, homophobic, Islamophobic, and anti-Semitic attitudes, particularly among boys. This finding emerges from a survey conducted by the University of Applied Sciences Zurich and the University of Fribourg, as reported by “Le Matin Dimanche.”
A Revealing Survey
The study, conducted with 1600 participants in French-speaking and German-speaking Switzerland, highlights a growing radicalization among the younger generation. Researchers presented participants with extreme statements such as “Jews are complicit in their persecutions by their behavior” or “homosexuality is immoral.” The results are concerning: 26% of respondents were xenophobic, 15% homophobic, 10% Islamophobic, and 8% anti-Semitic. These proportions are particularly high among those under 17, with boys more likely to endorse these ideas than girls.
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Increase in Homophobic Attitudes
Homophobia is the form of discrimination that has increased the most among young people, with a 66% rise over two years. Among 15 to 17-year-olds, 23% of those surveyed consider homosexuality to be immoral or disgusting. Roman Heggli, director of Pink Cross, notes that their helpline recorded 305 hate crimes against the LGBTQI community in 2023, often perpetrated by groups of young men seeking to prove their masculinity by attacking gay men.
Causes of This Radicalization
Experts suggest several explanations for this rise in extremism. Marco Bezjak, a social worker and president of the Mojuga Foundation, suggests that young people feel a sense of insecurity comparable to or even greater than that of adults, pushing them towards extreme positions to gain a sense of security by identifying a clear adversary. The influence of social media, the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental concerns, and the need for security also contribute to this trend towards radicalization.
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