MALADJUSTED MIGRANT YOUNGSTERS

The problems caused by maladjusted migrant youngsters are in the Dutch news again. More and more migrant youngsters do very well in Dutch society, but the problems with the ones that do not manage to join the system, are getting worse. In some area´s gangs, often even armed, run the show. It seems that a part of the disillusioned youngsters only sees a future in a criminal career.

According to the new Dutch minister of Family Affairs, the parents of these youngsters have to be addressed and forced to educate their kids much better. A street worker: ‘This is not their problem, this is a political drama. On my desk I have 18 years of dossiers. Now we finally need a minister that really stands on the barricades for these boys.´

In the West of Amsterdam all the welfare organisations are forced to work together to get rid of a problem with one family with ten kids that caused so much annoyance that neighbouring families already moved away. It is seen as an experiment that needs to succeed. The leader of the project: ´This is a bankrupt system. ´Millions are lost, and what happens to the boys that slip further towards the famous radicalisation?

A socialist MP comes with solutions: ‘I would like us to break four taboos and interfere earlier when parents have problems with educating their children. We have to admit that our legal system and the way we punish absolutely do not work. We should keep cultural back ground much more into account and we really should fight the rising ghetto culture in poor quarters. Maybe we should also get rid of the fake division between church and state. Maybe we should even involve religion.

The Dutch minister of Internal Affairs decided to invest 25 million euro in the fight against polarisation and radicalisation. Everything should be done on local scale, lots of training, help with education and the exchange of knowledge. A data base with different approaches should be formed. The last experiment is the use of street coaches, often kick boxers. They speak the language of the street. more features

May 15, 2007