Articles

Een vaderland om te beminnen ?: Het nationale bewustzijn van Vlaamse laatstejaarsscholieren

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Abstract

The political socialization of a sense of national belonging is problematic in a socio-political environment where children are confronted with multiple national identities. A survey was administered to a diversified sample of 1000 Flemish secondary school pupils, aged 17-18. The data show that most Flemish preadults,
when asked, hesitate between the Flemish and the Belgian identity, which they moreover hardly consider as contradictory. This lack of a single evident fatherland somehow results in an absence of genuine patriotism. Significant in this respect is the fact that identification with the local community takes preference over allegiance to the nation. In addition, Flemish youth adopt a low-profile attitude towards both Flanders and Belgium. The political socialization process apparently does not effect an emotional attachment to either the Flemish or the Belgian political system . Obviously, respondents who vote fora Flemish-nationalistic party,
or whose parents do so, tend to prefer the Flemish identity.

How to Cite:

Maddens, B., (1989) “Een vaderland om te beminnen ?: Het nationale bewustzijn van Vlaamse laatstejaarsscholieren”, Res Publica 31(1), 49-73. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/rp.v31i1.18884