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Article

The Perception of Security and Youth: A Practical Example

1
Department of Political Science and Administration, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
2
Department of Leadership, Legal and Social Sciences, General Military Academy, 50090 Zaragoza, Spain
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(4), 227; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12040227
Submission received: 15 February 2023 / Revised: 26 March 2023 / Accepted: 28 March 2023 / Published: 11 April 2023
(This article belongs to the Section Contemporary Politics and Society)

Abstract

:
This investigation presents the perspective that Spanish postgraduate students have on security. The data compiled here encompass the results of a research study involving Spanish Master’s students with backgrounds in international law and international relations. This study aims to conceptualize what security means for young adults, with the concept of security being extracted from their own opinions. This is a qualitative investigation of students who are pursuing their studies in international and security fields. In their coursework, they study matters related to security, and therefore their opinions are well grounded. The results indicate that the concept of security is progressively more ambiguous and distant from those of conventional standards, where personal, economic, environmental, and border security (as well as other aspects of security) intertwine. The concept itself is increasingly more ambiguous and closer to the idea of human security. Young people have a greater perception of insecurity, and they demand more to ensure that the State and different institutions fulfill their responsibility of guaranteeing security. They also feel more committed to participating in different aspects that construct their very open sense of security.

1. Introduction

Trying to connect young adults and the concept of security may seem to be a moot point because the outcome is already known: Young adults are not interested in security matters. On many occasions, when linking the concepts of youth and security, a discourse is created in which the youth are held responsible for the perceived insecurity (Fernández-Molina and Gutiérrez 2020), and for the scarce implication they have in working towards a safer and more stable world.
The main objective of this investigation is to understand the perceptions that young people have regarding security, as well as the concepts upon which they base their opinions on security. This study also seeks to identify their stance on participation in the construction of safe spaces, their perception of threats, and the role that the Armed Forces play.
Youth is a stage of life in which many profound changes are experienced (Jones 2009). It involves the time of transition between childhood and adulthood, and it is characterized by the search for one’s identity, independence, and the desire to experiment. In this stage of life, people tend to be more impulsive and take more risks. Youth can be a time of confusion and anguish, but it can also be an exciting moment of discovery and growth (Jones 2009; Spence 2005; Cieslik and Simpson 2013).
The most relevant investigations on this subject are those by Codesal Fidalgo (2016), where they analyzed the perception of youth on social media, as well as how much importance they give to defense culture. The topic of defense culture was also studied by Casas Álvarez (2015) and Izquierdo Alberca (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018) in school curricula, and Moliner González (2019) in relation to progress in university settings. These studies analyzed the perception of security, as well as the means that the State and society have for responding to security matters.
The study by Branca et al. (2020) is also of key interest. They analyzed the perception of youth on situations regarding security and insecurity from a social perspective. We can also find many investigations about youth and cybersecurity in a multitude of aspects, such as the studies conducted by Omar and Casero-Ripollés (2022), Calvarro Castañeda et al. (2019), and Machuca Rubio and Duffaut (2020). Without a doubt, this is the field most frequently studied in relation to youth and security.

1.1. What Is “Youth”?

There is not one definitive answer to this question since, if we focus on age, there are different opinions on what age can be considered “young”. However, many people generally consider young adults to be between 19 and 29 years old (Heinz 2009). This is typically the time when people are completing their education, starting their professional careers, and establishing themselves and their independence. Ultimately, it depends on each individual to determine when one no longer feels “young.” However, in order to properly analyze this study, it is necessary to decide upon a specific population. An age group must be identified to know who exactly we are discussing, and who is the subject of the investigation.
In relation to what is referred to as being “young”, it is important to consider one of Bourdieu’s (1990) affirmations: Age divisions are arbitrary. Many authors, such as Taguenca Belmonte (2009), Margulis and Urresti (1998), and Goñi Palacios et al. (2012), have studied the concept of youth and the characteristics that it encompasses. For this research, we chose age as the selection criterion for the population under investigation. Subsequently, people between 19 and 29 years old were chosen as the objective population.
Research on youth also requires an understanding of the concept of ageism. Ageism is a term used to describe prejudice or discrimination against a person because of their age. This can include unequal treatment in the workplace, at school, in the healthcare sector, or in society in general. Treating one in a paternalistic way is one of the topics most closely related to ageism. It can be defined as a form of relating to another person as if one was their parent, treating them with affection and protectiveness but also with a certain degree of condescension and a lack of respect for their independence, as Liebel (2007) has indicated. The paternalism that lies within ageism is the most common attitude that we encounter in investigations that study youth. As for the present study, paternalistic attitudes were intentionally avoided in the data analysis.
The circumstances of the youths in Europe are rather mixed. There are many young people who are successful and prosperous in their endeavors, but there is also a great number of youths who are fighting to better their position in life. The situation of young people in Europe greatly varies from one country to another and depends on many factors, such as age, social and economic status, education, etc.
This study is centered on the perception of security by young people with certain characteristics—young people from an international relations and security background who will be qualified to occupy relevant positions in security and defense in the near future—as previously outlined in the introduction. These perspectives cannot be lost because they are the visions of young people who are already actively involved in these fields. This provides us with several positive and negative components that must not be forgotten in the analysis of their opinions.

1.2. What Is Security?

Citizens demand and need to be defended and protected against the risks and dangers that exist and that weaken or threaten their well-being and security. To achieve this, the State, through its democratic representatives, has at its disposition the Armed Forces. With their human and material resources (among other instruments), they should organize, prepare, and act imperatively, ethically, and legally, under the subordination of public powers (Moliner González 2019).
Security is protection against danger, harm, or pain, as Rothschild (1995) has pointed out. Security is essential so that people may carry out a healthy and productive life. Security is a state of well-being, protection, and tranquility. This is the most comprehensive definition that can be used as a common denominator and a foundation on which to base the rest of the definitions. It is the minimum to which we can allude. Regarding European security, it is a concept that includes the protection of interests and the security of European countries. It refers to a very vast subject, including topics from military security and defense to economic security and the protection of human rights.
The main objective of the European Union (EU) is to maintain the peace and security of the European continent. There are authors who consider the roots of the EU to be the search for peace on the continent and not so much economic collaboration. Their elaborations further suggest that the true intention of the establishment of the EU was to avoid a Third World War. To achieve this, the EU has a series of mechanisms and cooperation structures, such as the European Security and Defense Policy, the European Union Security Council, and the European Security Agency. The EU also plays an important role in peace-keeping measures and international security through its cooperation with the United Nations and other multilateral organizations. (Sperling and Webber 2019).
European security is a very relevant, current topic due to numerous challenges that the region has had to confront. The main European security problems are terrorism, illegal immigration, organized crime, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We cannot lose sight of the immense majority of EU countries that pertain to another organization: the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), whose objective is to maintain the security and collective defense of its twenty-nine member countries. NATO was founded in 1949 after the Second World War, with the objective of defending Western Europe against the threat of communism. Throughout the years, it has faced up against the vicissitudes of history, such as the Cold War, and it has subsequently adapted to the changes that have occurred around the world (Fernández 2022).
Today, the security of its members continues to be a priority for NATO, and it strives to maintain a solid, cohesive military structure, as is seen each day with the Ukraine conflict and the protection of the interests of the neighboring countries. In recent years, NATO’s main security challenge has been the increase in political and military activity in Russia, Eastern Europe, and the Mediterranean. The annexation of Crimea in 2015, the military intervention in Ukraine, and the support of the rebels in Syria have shown the expansionist intentions of Russia (Pardo 2018). This has led to a significant deterioration in the relationship between Russia and the West—a relationship that detonated the military invasion of Ukraine at the beginning of 2022, putting NATO and all its member countries on a state of high alert.
Another important challenge for the security of NATO that cannot be forgotten is the increase in terrorist threats in Europe. After the terrorist attacks in Paris and Bruges in 2015, the level of terrorist threats in Europe has grown significantly. NATO has been working closely with the countries of Europe to improve the security in the entire continent with regard to the situations with third-party countries. In general, NATO is up against a series of internal and external security challenges. The Alliance is constantly working to improve its defense capabilities and to respond to threats that deal with an all-encompassing concept of security, such as the one chosen at the Madrid Summit in June of 2022 (Morales Hernández 2018).
Recent years have borne witness to an increase in international security challenges. Climate change, the increase in forced migrations, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, nuclear threats, and the availability of energy sources are just some of the problems that the world is currently facing. International security challenges are progressively more complex and interconnected. For example, climate change has increased the quantity of people who flee their homes due to droughts, floods, and other natural disasters. This is also creating more conflicts since those who migrate find themselves competing for resources. The increase in forced migrations is also having an impact on international security since migrant people are more likely to be victims of crime and terrorism (Léonard and Kaunert 2019).
It is important that the nations work together to confront these problems effectively. The line between security and insecurity grows finer each day, and civic responsibility has an increasingly important role.

1.3. Security and Human Security

The conceptualization of security is something that has always been discussed with the intent of developing strategies that improve security. The center of attention and the one responsible for that security is the State (McDonald 2002). The threats often come from the actions of other Nations and, in general, are of military origin.
The traditional concept of State Security refers to the defense of a State against external threats, such as a foreign invasion or a threat from the Armed Forces. This includes the physical defense of its borders, as well as the maintenance of national sovereignty. State Security also includes the protection of its population, the economy, and the State’s territory. Security is considered a basic survival need of a country, and therefore, this protection is a top priority for governments. This is generally achieved through the development of the Armed Forces, as well as by strengthening diplomacy.
At the end of the last century, a new concept appeared in relation to security that went deeper than its original understanding. The perception of security has changed. The concept of human security had emerged. The definition of this concept began to evolve until it was solidified in the 1994 Human Development Report, which appeared in the United Nations Program for Development and formally included the concept in its works.
The idea of human security as analyzed in the report references seven security categories (Tadjbakhsh and Chenoy 2007) that pertain to citizens:
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Economic security;
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Food security;
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Health security;
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Environmental security;
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Personal security;
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Community security;
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Political security.
Human security is a central concept in the development of a healthy and equitable society. It refers to the protection of individual rights and freedoms of people of all origins, including human rights, civil rights, and physical security. Human security includes access to food, healthcare, employment, and housing, as well as the protection of private property. It also implies the protection of the people’s dignity, the prevention of violence and discrimination, and the promotion of a culture based on respect and solidarity among social groups.
Human security cannot be achieved without respecting human rights, social justice, and good governance policies (Camilleri 2020). This means that the State should guarantee the security of its citizens and it should establish policies and laws that protect human rights. Human security should also include protection against violence, exploitation, and discrimination. Strengthening all these aspects is a fundamental step toward sustainable development and well-being in society.
After its emergence, the concept of human security quickly became the most used concept in relation to security analysis (Camilleri 2020). It seemed that the traditional concept of security had disappeared. Today, it is understood that both concepts are necessary when dealing with matters related to security (Albert et al. 2021). Depending on the point of view from which we base our argument, we may use one term or the other. Since the risks can come from many directions, from water contamination to a military attack at the border, the theories are not mutually exclusive, but rather equally necessary.

2. Materials and Methods

The results expressed here are part of an investigation coordinated by the University of Granada. The interviewees come from educational backgrounds related to security as an international right, international relations, and international politics. The majority are already pursuing their postgraduate degrees. A large part of these graduates will end up working in these fields, and therefore their opinions and perceptions will be present in their future work.
The objective of this research was to provide an understanding of the concept of security among young people. These young people are students who are training to work on issues related to international security in the future. The analysis technique utilized was that of discussion groups with the target population. Eight discussion groups were formed with a total of seventy-four participants in September 2022. The groups were established based on timing compatibility, and the members of the groups did not know each other. The participants were from different Spanish Autonomous Communities. The age of the group members ranged from 23 to 29 years old, with a median age of 24 years (Table 1), and there was an equal representation of both sexes.
One of the methods used in social investigations is to hold discussion groups, which enables a group of people to gather to order to exchange ideas and discuss topics related to those investigations. This technique is useful for obtaining first-hand information from participants, as well as for getting to know their opinions and perspectives about a specific topic, in this case, the concept of security that they perceive and construct on an individual level. In this study, group discussions were held in an informal atmosphere where the participants could freely discuss their opinions, thus allowing us to obtain valuable information that would not have been possible to acquire through other means.
Furthermore, the discussion groups gave the researchers the opportunity to evaluate the perception of a particular topic among a variety of people and to redirect the topic throughout the development of the investigation in their role as moderators. This helps the researchers to better understand the topic of this investigation and to comprehend its nuances in greater depth.
The debate process in the discussion groups had three differentiated parts: The first part involved familiarization with the interviewees’ perception of security; the second part involved the conceptualization of the term “security”; and in the third part, we sought to understand their perceptions about the level of implication in security matters and where the responsibility of creating security lies.
The methodology of the investigation was qualitative. In the discussion groups, the definitions previously mentioned were established, and the participants had opposing opinions in the debate. After the data were compiled, the interviewees’ discourses were analyzed through ground theory to understand the conceptual construction and the responses that were expressed in the debates.

3. Results—What Do Young People Understand “Security” to Be?

For the group discussions, sections were established (Table 2) in which the three central topics of this investigation were differentiated and discussed, although the participants’ answers ended up moving around between the three sections. It was a common occurrence for a discourse about the perception of security to be blended with other related roles that security plays. Therefore, it was difficult to establish these sections since the argument for each of their points was often interrelated. This intermixing of discourses is reflected in the results below.
Young adults in this study did not directly express having a feeling of insecurity with a cause that can be clearly identified as its trigger. In general, they indicated having found themselves in situations of dissatisfaction without being able to identify a clear cause. This can be perceived in affirmations such as the following statement:
“It’s difficult to live each day when you don’t know if what you’ve studied and worked on will end up being useful, and that affects how you do everything in your day to day life”.
Features related to the feeling of security could be inferred from their responses. One of the features related to the perception of security among young adults is “eco-anxiety”, which is the anxiety that results from worries related to the environment and the impact that our actions have on it. “Eco-anxiety” often results from our realization of the magnitude of the harm we are inflicting on the planet and the number of lives that we are putting in danger.
“Climate change can’t be denied, it’s there. Today it’s hotter than ever before and that affects everything…the climate, life, how we live—everything… and when up against this, what can we do? Well, we can do a lot, and we have to do a lot, but clearly that requires participation, and there isn’t any.”
“I don’t feel like doing anything. Security starts with what affects me, and this level of heat at this time of year isn’t normal, it’s sad, it saddens me. I do everything in my power but not everyone does that, and you get frustrated, although I don’t really know if there’s a solution, and the problem at hand is increasingly bigger.”
It is important to note that the comments related to climate security were the most frequently stated throughout the participants’ discussions, along with comments related to political turmoil, which unfolded in the debate about the Ukraine war.
Without a doubt, climate change is one of the greatest challenges (Table 2) that the planet is up against, as brought up in the participants’ arguments. It is directly related to changes in the natural equilibrium of the biosphere, which implies a series of problems for human health, the environment, and the economy. Climate change encompasses different aspects, from rising temperatures to worldwide droughts to torrential downpours and natural disasters in specific regions, as was indicated in the discourses related to the security of citizens.
These changes can have a direct effect on human health, since they already increase the incidence of infectious diseases, respiratory allergies, and other problems related to air, water, and food, as was mentioned by the group members. Furthermore, climate change also affects natural ecosystems, causing the extinction of species, the disappearance of habitats, and the shrinking of natural resource supplies. This can also have a profound impact on the environment, economy, and food security, which was something that the participants mentioned as already being a relevant issue.
Finally, climate change also has a profound impact on the economy, as can already be witnessed in the agricultural, industrial, and services sectors. This can cause a drop in production and income, as well as causing an increase in product costs. Therefore, climate change was stated as one of the top concerns among the groups in this study, and they found it extremely necessary to take measures to address the impact of climate change and reduce its adverse effects.
On the other hand, the Ukraine war has been a huge blow to Europe. This crisis has provoked political, economic, and social instability in the region. One of the most immediately felt consequences has been the increased sense of insecurity, as mentioned by the discussion groups (Table 2). The out-of-control violence in Ukraine has sparked a wave of refugees that have fled to neighboring countries, especially those belonging to the European Union. This has increased the pressure on the social security systems of EU countries, as well as the number of people applying for political asylum. This concern is reflected in affirmations such as the following statement:
“We’re at war. Although we’re not the ones firing the shots in Ukraine, the Ukraine war has spread and it’s affecting everyone, although it’s especially affecting Europe.”
Furthermore, the Ukraine war has affected the region’s economy, as mentioned in different statements. The crisis has provoked a large degree of volatility in gas and petroleum prices, which has in turn affected the economy of the EU. This has created an increase in inflation and a decrease in economic growth, especially for the member countries of the Union.
Lastly, the Ukraine war has affected the relationship between the EU and Russia. The member countries of the EU have strengthened the sanctions imposed on Russia as a response to the crisis, which has in turn built tension among the involved parties. This has affected the cooperation between the two parties, which has negatively impacted the regional economy, consequently affecting citizens. In conclusion, the Ukraine war has instigated a series of problems for Europe, such as insecurity, economic problems, and problems in the relationship between the EU and Russia. Currently, it is well established that this crisis has had a profound impact on the region, and it is necessary to find solutions to mitigate its effects.
Both the climate crisis and the Ukraine war are two clear examples of the preoccupation of the interviewees surrounding security matters in relation to the traditional concept of security, as well as with the concept of human security. Security is an important matter for everyone, but especially for the youth. As children and teens become increasingly more independent, they have more opportunities to expose themselves to dangers. This is why it is important for parents and other responsible adults to teach them how to maintain their safety in all types of situations. Security is a key element in the survival of the species. It is necessary to have security in order to be able to grow and create a future plan in life. This is reflected in the following affirmation that was made by a participant in one of the discussion groups:
“I want to be able to work in the future… Well, I’d like to be able to do so now, but in a good job… in something related to what I’m studying and something that I like. I’ve put in all the effort but it’s not enough… Why? Because it requires something else, and that something else is having a certain level of security, something that gives us some trust in the future, trust in the economy, in buying a house, in being able to live.”
The fear that is created by uncertainty and the future is understood as something that affects security. In the process toward maturity, there is a stage during which one begins to take on responsibilities that lead to feeling uneasy about day-to-day occurrences. The interviewees stated that this uncertainty is something more present today, and in which economic matters have a very important role.
On the other hand, the main risks that the youth encounter in relation to security matters are usually related to the use of the internet and social media. It is advisable to avoid sharing sensitive or personal information, such as one’s address or the name of places that one may frequent. The exposure of this information is not only a question of personal security but also a matter that may make people more vulnerable at a group level. In matters related to the internet, the idea of collaborative security was brought up more than in any other topic.
“We see how such important elections, like the ones in the United States, are affected by opinions shared on social media. This is not just a State matter, citizens also should be able to develop a sense of security around the news that they receive. Fake news can put presidents into office or take them out of it, and it can make an economy sink or swim.”
A spirit of social critique is emerging among the youth regarding the information that they receive, and that it is not just the responsibility of the State. In the idea of security that each of the participants discussed, they felt to be a part of and responsible for the construction of that security, as stated by one of the participants. In relation to economic security, a matter that was also brought up in the discussions in general, young Europeans have more opportunities than young people from other continents. They have access to higher education and health services, and many of them have well-paid jobs. However, there are also many young Europeans that are not satisfied. Some of their expectations have not been met. They cannot find work, and many others work in positions that are precarious or are paid poorly. There are also many young Europeans that live in poverty or social exclusion. On this matter, the opinion stated earlier in this paragraph can be considered.
The interviewees, along with the rest of the population of young people, according to different studies, refer to a broader and more open concept of security, where all the aspects that affect one’s life can be considered at risk:
“State security doesn’t just mean not having missiles fired at us, or that a foreign army shows up and invades us. It’s also the ability to go out in the streets with a sense of security”.
“Security starts with me feeling secure within myself”.
“There are days in which I think about how much what’s happening in Ukraine affects me, and I see that what affects me most is the price of electricity or fuel”.
“Security is there not being any femicides, nor sexist violence against women, nor murders, and that should be worked on. As a woman, I need that security that I don’t have, and that affects me every time I go out into the streets”.
The interviewees found no separation between the private and public spheres, or between national and international levels in the collective imagination surrounding security. Digital natives in a globalized world understand security from a critical perspective. The general youth understands security to be very personal and well based in it is arguments, although the participants in this study shared a feeling of fear of the same risks for human security. In general, the youth should be cautious and aware of the dangers that they can be confronted with. If they remain alert and know how to act in case of an emergency, they can avoid many problems and keep themselves safe. Not all generations have that feeling of alarm or that same perception of risk. The idea of security discussed among the participants is closest to the concept of human security (Kaldor 2007; Shaw and MacLean 2019). In the 1994 Annual Human Development Report from the Development Program by the United Nations, the need to transition to a new paradigm of security was announced.
The concept of human security emerged from the human development paradigm, and similarly to the latter, it is a people-centered concept. The concept itself was born out of the recognition that, for the majority of people, the feeling of insecurity revolves more around the worries of everyday life and less around the fear of war (Johansen 2021). In this way, human security is much more than the absence of violent conflict. In addition to the effects of direct violence, the concept of human security addresses the effects of indirect violence (the deprivation of basic needs, the incidence of disease, natural disasters, the displacement of populations, and the exploitation of cultural and ethnic differences). It also addresses more subjective elements, such as the perception of insecurity, fear, and concern.
Regarding the participation in or responsibility of that security, in all of the discussion groups, it was concluded that security depends on the participation of everyone. The participants did not hold political leaders exclusively accountable for the lack of management, their distrust, or the idea of creating a participative security system among citizens, mostly because they do not attribute them to having any true problem-solving capacity. This can be seen in the opinions of the group, for instance, in the following affirmation:
“The State can tell me as many times as it would like to do something, it can even punish me if I don’t do it, it can repress me, but an important part depends on me if I decide to do something to create an environment of security”.
“The Nations have already made it clear that they’re not capable of resolving the security problems we have on their own, it’s something we all have to do”.
“I do everything I can to develop security in my space and I’m willing to collaborate in the ways I’m required to. Hopefully in the future much more will be able to be done than what is being done today”.
The participants did not perceive security as an aspect for which the State is the only one responsible. They found themselves sharing that responsibility and stated that not all risks that affect security can be exclusively resolved through State action. The majority considered themselves to be proactive in their participation and have an agency through which they can act and achieve results.
Regarding the questions about which topics generated the most insecurity for them, and which they thought they would need to work on to overcome, the participants indicated the following: international terrorism, climate change, and the insecurity derived from an unstable economy. However, these were not the only ones. They also brought up topics such as offensive military movements initiated by neighboring countries, terrorism promoted by different nations, and the conflicts that arise in grey zones or internal wars. Other topics of concern mentioned were access to resources, criminal behavior, violence toward certain collectives, and inequality.
Therefore, it can be deduced that they did not abandon the risks associated with the classic conception of security, but rather, to those risks were added others unique to human security. The resolution of problems will always be a priority, and this should take on a comprehensive and participative outlook to be able to overcome the difficulties that will emerge in the process.

4. Discussion

In relation to the results obtained from the investigation, the following features can be highlighted:
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The perception of security is a mental state in which a person feels that they are protected from harm. Security is a subjective sensation, and therefore the conceptualization of it can vary from person to person. Some people feel safe in some places that others might find dangerous, and vice versa.
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The perception of security is important because it influences the way in which a person interacts with the world. People that feel safe are more likely to take risks, be proactive, and feel more trusting in general.
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International security is a broad concept that entails an attempt to protect a State and its people from external threats. This includes protection against terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, organized crime, and human trafficking, among others. It also encompasses the management of crises and conflicts, as well as the promotion of peace and international security.
However, that is the traditional idea of security. Today, the opinion that young adults have about security is much closer to that of human security, although the traditional concept of it cannot be completely forgotten.
The participants indicated that neither concept is mutually exclusive. Both human security and the more traditional conception of security were understood as complementary concepts that help explain their perception of security.
Some general conclusions to note include the following findings:
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The concept of security under debate is ambiguous and not fixed. Thus, it can be understood as an all-encompassing concept.
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There is not one sole form of security. The ideas of international, economic, gender, and border security are interconnected. Security is an enmeshed concept in relation to the questions that concern it.
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There is a greater perception of insecurity among young people. As the participants indicated, there are many risks that we do not have the capacity to act upon. In this context, they highlighted environmental, economic, and armed conflict matters.
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Young adults are more demanding in all these matters, with expectations from authorities who oversee decision making, and they consider themselves open to collaborating on topics that affect their security. This does not occur in all sectors; the participants in this study especially highlighted aspects related to social activism. They expressed willingness to actively contribute to the solution to the risks that they experienced.
In conclusion, security is a priority for everyone. We should be aware of potential dangers and take measures to protect ourselves. Security is a shared responsibility; we should work together to keep ourselves safe. The idea of security deduced from the participants’ discussions is based on the perception that they have of their daily experiences. This concept is far from the traditional understanding of security since it is based on young adults’ own lived experiences and perceptions of their surroundings, which brings it much closer to the concept of human security.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, M.V. and F.T.; methodology, M.V. and F.T.; software, M.V. and F.T.; validation, M.V. and F.T.; formal analysis, M.V. and F.T.; investigation, M.V. and F.T.; resources, M.V. and F.T.; data curation, M.V. and F.T.; writing—original draft preparation, M.V. and F.T.; writing—review and editing, M.V. and F.T.; visualization, M.V. and F.T.; supervision, M.V. and F.T.; project administration, M.V. and F.T. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Data Availability Statement

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Table 1. The mean age of the discussion groups. Authors’ own elaboration.
Table 1. The mean age of the discussion groups. Authors’ own elaboration.
Discussion GroupNumber PersonMiddle Ages
Group 1824.2
Group 2723.4
Group 3822.9
Group 4824.3
Group 5824.6
Group 6824.2
Group 7823.9
Group 8924.2
TOTAL6424
Table 2. Percentage of support for topics discussed in the discussion groups. Authors’ own elaboration.
Table 2. Percentage of support for topics discussed in the discussion groups. Authors’ own elaboration.
Topic%
Dissatisfaction with security78
Environmental concerns80
Health concerns51
Economic concerns67
Concerns about the situation in Ukraine82
Future concerns40
Cyber security68
Demonstrating a “critical spirit”92
Security responsibility of rulers40
Personal involvement in safety85
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Vílchez, M.; Trujillo, F. The Perception of Security and Youth: A Practical Example. Soc. Sci. 2023, 12, 227. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12040227

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Vílchez M, Trujillo F. The Perception of Security and Youth: A Practical Example. Social Sciences. 2023; 12(4):227. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12040227

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Vílchez, María, and Francisco Trujillo. 2023. "The Perception of Security and Youth: A Practical Example" Social Sciences 12, no. 4: 227. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12040227

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