Being radicalised by disconnected societies

Many young men are becoming radicalised nowadays, not through social media or religion but through isolation, lack of self-confidence, discontentment with life, lack of finding a true purpose and lack of positive role models in our societies. At each stages of our civilisation, we experienced different forces of radicalism and ideologies that aimed to destroy peace in the world and take innocent lives, wearing masks of crusaders from the middle ages; through communism, the Nazi regime, and false religious leaders. Many would now blame the causes of unrest and violence on religion, but I believe the core lies inside a different monster. 

Those who are becoming involved in these elements of destruction have nothing to do with preserving any religious ideology but they believe in a politicised ideology of groups like IS, who are giving these misguided individuals a platform to boost either their psychopathic tendencies or a false notion of making their life meaningful through an illogical cause. The person who was involved in the recent tragic incident in Nice, France, had been such a person who was reported to be a loner, found no meaning in his job and was separated from his family. I guess he wanted to be someone special, and make the news. 

How are we transforming the impressionable youth force into unconscionable killing machines? When we were kids, my parents were not at all worried when we were left to ourselves in the neighbourhood where all neighbours where part of an extended family, looking out for each other. I would be taken home by a neighbour when I found myself lost in the nearby alley. Everyone cared, everyone shared. Parents paid attention to what we were doing instead of letting us sit with an electronic device in front of our face. Nowadays, teachers, parents, neighbours, all seem to want to somehow do their jobs, instead of understanding the young minds. Everyone wants to focus on individual gains, instead of focusing on "us". 

This modernisation, 'living in apartments' culture, and dependence on technology is giving rise to a sense of isolation and detachment, as young people lack exposure to tradition, a sense of belongingness and inadequate sense of civic responsibilities that could make our lives more meaningful. We want to raise the standards of education but why aren't we paying attention to the standard of care, morality and tolerance?     Considering the fearful climate of our world, it's high time every institution pays attention to fill this widening gap by caring about the future generation, who are becoming disillusioned by groups that make them feel important through mindless acts. 

We need to stop politicising the events and unite as a country and as citizens of the world, to help us all see the big picture and solve the problem from the root, instead of just cutting the branches.

Rehnuma Karim, Ph.D
Assistant Professor,  
College at Brockport, 
State University of New York