The Youth Policy Commission of the Republic of San Marino (Commissione per le Politiche Giovanili) has spoken out on the issue of unease and risky behaviour among the younger generation, picking up on points raised in Michele Muratori’s article “Unheard cries and new forms of youth deviance”. The Commission’s statement calls for attention not to be focused solely on individual news stories, but for deeper reflection on the causes that may lie behind certain behaviours.
“When a boy or a girl crosses a line, abuses alcohol or substances, displays violent behaviour, withdraws socially or develops a troubled relationship with the digital world, the response cannot simply be to condemn the behaviour. We must have the courage to ask ourselves what lies behind it,” the Commission’s statement reads.
The Commission nonetheless cautions against generalisations. “Not everything is necessarily a sign of distress, and it would be wrong to generalise. But it would be equally wrong to ignore behaviours that may represent a cry for attention, a difficulty, loneliness or, at times, a genuine plea for help,” the statement continues.
This is why, the Commission argues, attention must gradually shift from emergency response to prevention, involving the whole community. “As a Commission, we believe the question we need to ask ourselves cannot simply be ‘what are our young people doing?’, but must also become: ‘How are our young people doing?’ And this question concerns everyone.”
Such involvement, the statement specifies, must include families, schools, institutions, sports clubs, associations, services and community gathering places, as well as the adults who come into daily contact with young people.
The Commission therefore reaffirms its intention to create spaces where young people can express themselves before difficulties grow into something bigger. “We must not limit ourselves to intervening or taking a stand only once a problem makes the news, but instead build opportunities for young people to speak up beforehand. Before a difficulty becomes distress. Before distress becomes isolation. Before a cry for attention has to turn into a scream,” the statement reads.
According to the Commission, the small size of the Republic can be an advantage in building a network capable of identifying signs of vulnerability at an early stage. “San Marino has a precious opportunity: to be a community small enough to build a genuine network around its younger generations. We must make the most of it.”
Alongside prevention, education, information and services, the ability to listen is identified as central. “What is needed above all is something no law can impose: the ability to be present and to listen.”
The Commission has announced its intention to continue promoting opportunities for direct dialogue with young people and to build a more structured relationship with schools, families, professionals, associations, services and institutions. Among the topics identified are youth wellbeing, addiction, loneliness, relationships, digital life and risky behaviour.
“We cannot wait for the next incident to start talking about our young people again. We must do it now. And above all, we must do it together with them,” the Commission concludes. “Listening does not mean justifying. It means trying to understand before having to intervene. As the Youth Policy Commission, we are ready to play our part.”
