Ethno-religious Identification and Latent Conflict: Support of Violence among Muslim and Christian Filipino Children and Youth

Abstract

This contribution focuses on the involvement of children and youth in conflicts between Muslims and Christians in the Philippines. Contemporary Filipino youth, especially in the southern part of the country, grows up amidst this conflict. At first, a brief background on Moro conflict in the Philippines is presented in order to understand the specific positioning and experiences of children and youth. We then try to explain several pathways to children and youth support of violence and participation in conflict. Political minorization and economic marginalization play a key role, but equally important are perceptions of discrimination and negative stereotypes. In this context, children and youth grow up needing to assert their identities in ethnic and religious terms. Personal experiences of violence further trigger involvement in conflict and may lead children and youth to participate in private armed groups. We cite some theoretical approaches in social science literature that help to explain the intergroup conflicts and youth’s involvement in it.