While in Northern Ireland, my friend Geraldine, a Catholic, turned to me and told me something quite striking. She said that what most people don't realize about Northern Irish youth is that 90% of them want peace. It is the other 10% that make it nearly impossible. So, then, if all these people want peace, what's happening? What we do not realize is the prejudices that these youth face everyday in school, work, and  even in the home. Influence comes from all sides.
    Youth under 29 make up over half of the 3600 deaths that have resulted from "The Troubles". This could possibly be because in Northern Ireland, unlike other warring states, children become involved at a very young age. The discrimination begins in the home, because mothers and fathers of the children have been taught history by their parents. The historical is extremely important to those in Northern Ireland, and therefore stories of old heroes and battles have been ingrained in every generation's mind. Children grow up hearing prejudice comments from the two people they look up to the most. Even parents who try to stay objective usually end up influencing their kids in one direction or another. I had this experience while talking to a Protestant couple from Ballymena. As we were driving back from a day with families of mixed communities, the husband turned and pointed across the landscape. Storm clouds loomed in the distance, and offhandedly he said "Look, it's raining over the Catholic neighborhood. Imagine that." One should keep in mind that these parents were fully in support of peace, they were even working towards it. However, prejudice has become second nature.
    Parents are certainly not the only influence on these children. Just as kids anywhere, the first exposure that the youth have to their peers is school. Schooling in Northern Ireland today is still separated, although there are mixed state schools. All private schools are secular. Schooling in these separate institutions also takes on different curricula: until recently, different history courses were taught, each glorifying one side involved in the conflict. Textbooks are known to use leading language and throw about prejudice comments. Therefore, even an institution that's supposed to be objective is not.
    Perhaps the most deciding factor for youth is interaction with peers. Just as in any child's life, one of the most important aspects of adolescence is feeling accepted. In Northern Ireland this includes many normal activities like going to the movies, playing sports and video games, listening to boy bands. These kids are leading everyday lives, growing up in pop culture and dealing with normal questions. However, along with these normal things come decisions. Decisions about whether to join a child gang or become part of the military. By the time they reach high school, most youth are already decided. Sinn Fein and UVF appeal to kids through songs, advertisements and recruiting.
    Although not all of Northern Ireland is violent, the children in all areas are able to see the news. Reports are constantly talking about the rioting in the Belfast area or the bombing of a military man's home. No matter how far away the actual violence is from the homes of these kids, there are always ways that they are exposed.