Though Syrian youth initially fled to avoid militancy , these limited opportunities in a protracted refugee situation may put them at more risk of eventual radicalization . Conditions for youth was named as one of six factors by the 2015 RAND study “ Lessening the Risk of Refugee Radicalization ” as potentially contributing to an increased risk of refugee radicalization . RAND ’ s study of historical cases of refugees fleeing armed conflict / violence focused on Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh from Burma ( 1975-1978 ; 1989-1992 ), Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran ( 1978-1988 ; 1990s ), Somali refugees in Kenya ( 1990s-2000s ), Rwandan refugees in DRC ( 19902-2000s ), Palestinian refugees in the Middle East ( especially Lebanon ) ( 1967-1993 ), Eritrean refugees in Sudan ( 1974-1991 ), and Iraqi refugees in Jordan / Syria ( 2000s ). Youth ( ages 15-24 years old , and potentially even younger ) in these contexts were at risk of recruitment by militant groups as they became more politically aware .
“ The risk [ of radicalization ] increases if young people have few opportunities for education beyond the primary level or for employment in more than “ make work ” jobs , if they perceive discrimination , or where radicalized groups provide the training ,” according to the RAND study ( p . 5 , 8 ). Studies of non-refugee youth point to personal factors and peer influence , not solely economic deprivation , as driving factors to radicalization . However , refugee youth in particular experience a narrowing of opportunities that may increase risk , including a lack of access to higher education , employment , traditional ‘ coming of age ’ transition milestones , and personal experiences of trauma that may be harrowing . Furthermore , the programs that exist for refugee youth often focus on keeping them out of trouble as opposed to teaching livelihood and vocational skills that are appropriate for both local industry and for reconstruction in their country of origin . In the void of formal education , crime and militant groups may fill the gaps – such as in Somali camps in Kenya in the 1990s-2000s when youth crime rose after secondary education was cut due to budget restrictions , and when Islamist groups educated Afghan refugee youth in the 1990s after donor funding stopped . Joining armed factions at times allows youth opportunities they may not have otherwise , such as learning how to write and read , which happened for refugees in camps run by the Palestine Liberation Organization ( PLO ) in the 1970s .
The risk of youth radicalization is not only tied to employment and education opportunities , however ; the non-governmental organization ( NGO ) Mercy Corps found in a 2015 study that experience of injustice was a prominent driver as to whether youth would turn to political violence . “ Refugees have experienced trauma in escaping their country of origin and often face abuse , humiliation , and powerlessness in their place of refuge . This arena is where militant groups are likely to step in and try to radicalize vulnerable populations with narratives , often aimed at youth , of empowerment through violence ,” ( RAND , “ Radicalization ,” p . 16 ). This is especially relevant to the Syrian refugee youth because of the level of trauma and powerlessness that many have experienced . According to a 2015 study by the Migration Policy Institute of Syrian refugee children ’ s mental health in southeast Turkey , approximately half of the children had post-traumatic stress
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