Young people, social activism, crime and training interests

A criminological analysis of the current social model

Abstract

This article presents the results of an exploratory study on the postmodern worldview of Spanish youth, focusing on their beliefs about social activism, perceptions of crime, and educational interests. From a critical ultra-realist criminological perspective, it examines how individualistic, hedonistic, and consumerist tendencies—together with identity fragmentation—undermine social cohesion and foster antisocial attitudes among young people. The research, exploratory and descriptive in nature, was conducted through an online questionnaire disseminated using the “snowball” technique, yielding a final sample of 320 participants aged 18 to 30. Findings reveal a positive assessment of social activism, though with limited real engagement, reflecting civic disaffection driven by social desirability and a lack of deep political commitment. Regarding beliefs about crime, most respondents reject violence, yet
visceral hate discourses emerge that deviate from critical thinking, influenced by indirect historical
memory. Reintegration is largely accepted in cases of common crime but more frequently
rejected when terrorism is involved. Concerning educational interests, there is a marked preference
for financial subjects over civic issues, mirroring the current postmodern model focused
on hedonistic consumption and economic survival. Overall, the findings suggest that postmodern social dynamics foster alienation, civic apathy, and individualism among Spanish
youth, weakening social cohesion and increasing vulnerability to populist and demagogic
narratives. The results highlight the need to strengthen value-based education and promote
civic participation as counterbalances to social fragmentation and consumerist drift.