Relating to Radicalism: Family and Upbringing Experiences in Radicalization and De-radicalization

This dissertation focuses on what happens in families when radicalization and de-radicalization take place and gives insight into the processes that these young people and their family members go through. What factors lead young people to radicalize and what influence does family have on radicalization and de-radicalization? Understanding radicalization in the context of a family’s experiences could contribute to our knowledge on how to prevent radicalization. To obtain knowledge about the radicalization process and the potential role parents play within it, an empirical explorative study was conducted. In-depth interviews were conducted with people who pursue extreme -left, -right, and -religious ideals, former radicals, and their family members who experienced the radicalization process from up-close.


This research found that the radicalization process toward different extreme ideologies shows similar characteristics. For example, all participants seem to have been driven by injustices that they have seen in the world and personal problems, regardless of their ideology. These young people are entangled in a similar developmental process searching for identity and belonging, and they come across a certain ideology during that search. The radicalization process can be characterized as a journey marked by a sequence of transitions from child- to adulthood: a rite of passage into and out of a radical group as young people search for their place in society. Our interviews showed that most young people did not learn about extreme ideals through their parents, but came across these ideologies through peers or media. Although our respondents felt that parents did not influence the radicalization process directly, family climate may indirectly offer a fertile ground for radicalization. It was found that parents often did not react upon the radicalization process of their child because they did not recognize the signals, did not know how to handle them, and did not know whom to turn to for support. Or parents changed their reactions toward extremist ideals during the radicalization process, and responded differently than one would expect from their general parenting style.
This research shows that parents may influence de-radicalization by supporting their children and providing them with counterarguments and alternative perspectives. Policy that tries to counter radicalization often aims at helping parents, teachers, and practitioners to recognize and distinguish signs of radicalization in young people. However, it would possibly be more fruitful to help parents discuss different kinds of (extreme) ideologies, as part of the normal upbringing, to guide children in their moral (ideal) development. Parents do not need to have straight answers, but they can talk to their children about complicated issues such as terrorist attacks, discrimination and extremism. Moreover, it is important to listen to their frustrations, show interest in their ideas, discuss injustice and existential questions, and offer counterweight when needed, building their knowledge, values, and attitudes on these topics. As not all parents are able to conduct these kinds of discussions, it is important to include teachers, youth workers, and religious workers to offer the moral authority that these young people need and guide them in their (democratic) development.