Danny Morrison recently quoted an old German military saying that no strategy survives contact with the enemy. Well according to the Young Life and Times survey (pdf) the same is true of social engagement with the enemy. Clare Regan has some of the highlights from the launch.According to its findings:
n 42% of Catholics questioned who had taken part in cross-community activity said they had a favourable attitude towards Protestants. Of those who hadn’t, only 33% said they had a favourable attitude.
41% of Protestants asked who had taken part in cross-community activity said they had a favourable attitude towards Catholics. Of those who hadn’t, only 26% said they had a favourable attitude.
46% of Catholics who had attended an integrated school had a favourable attitude toward Protestants. Of those who hadn’t, 39% said that they had a favourable attitude.
43% of Protestants who had attended an integrated school said they had a favourable attitude to Catholics. Only 36% of those who hadn’t, said they had a favourable attitude.
Not terribly surprising as such. But some of the differences rise by up to fifteen points, where there has been a significant exposure to the other side.
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Discover more from Slugger O'Toole
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
