10th November 1999

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By the time they are two years old, many children in Northern Ireland have the capacity to be aware of categories such as 'Catholic', 'Protestant', 'RUC' and 'IRA'.

That is the one of the main findings included in the book 'Community Relations Work with Pre -School Children', by the University of Ulster's Dr Paul Connolly, which has been published by the Community Relations Council.

The issues raised - such as whether it is right to carry out community relations work with such young children - are to be discussed by key policy makers, politicians and educationalists at a special conference in Belfast on November 16.

Until now there had been very little research to determine at which age such negative attitudes develop. Dr Connolly's book points to growing evidence that children beginning nurseries and other pre-school groups can show sectarian attitudes.

It argues that from the age of two, children in the province have the potential to develop an awareness of categories such as 'Protestant' and 'Catholic' - even if they do not use these precise terms - and suggests that from the age of three the children are able to develop negatives attitudes about some of these categories.

The book suggests that by the time they are five years old, some children show an understanding of the political significance of certain colours and are developing an increasingly negative attitude towards figures such as Catholic priests and Protestant ministers.

It suggests that a community relations curriculum is necessary to deal with such issues. This should involve challenging the children's existing attitudes and behaviour and encouraging them to develop mutual respect for each other.

Dr Connolly also stresses the importance of being open and honest with the children:

"Research has shown that attempts to address issues of prejudice with young children via coded or indirect means rarely gets the message across."

He accepts that it is unrealistic to expect that children can be taught not to recognise that differences exist. Thus, as well as focusing on what Catholic and Protestant children have in common, Dr Connolly argues that there is a need to encourage young children to respect and value differences.

Dr Connolly's argues that while a three year olds' prejudices may be quite simplistic, they can form the foundations of much more engrained attitudes as the child grows older:

"If it is agreed that some pre school children are at least capable of developing certain sectarian attitudes and behaviours, then it is important that a community relations strategy is developed for all children that can aim to prevent such behaviour from developing and can effectively challenge it if or when it arises," he says.

However, the book also urges caution in the common view that the key to challenging the divisions that exist within Northern Ireland is through children:

"By getting them young, it is often argued, we can stop the viscous cycle by which sectarianism is learnt and passed on from one generation to the next. However, it is clear that we need to develop much more realistic expectations.

"Given the influence of home and the wider society, no community relations initiative with young children is going to lead to fundamental attitude change in its own right."

Dr Connolly's work with young children follows on from the research contained in the book 'Sectarianism, Children and Community Relations in Northern Ireland' also just published by the University's Centre for the Study of Conflict.

This report draws upon data from interviews with 10 and 11 year olds and offers a stark picture of the impact of the troubles on their lives and experiences. It also shows the deeply engrained nature of the sectarian attitudes that some of the children hold, in their own words, and their relatively sophisticated understanding of broader political events.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk