The case in summary Four out of ten young people in the age group 15 to 25 are reluctant to express their opinion because they feel that society is too politically correct. More men than women hold back their opinions. Philosopher Ingun Steen Andersen gives five tips on how to become good at talking to and listening to people you disagree with: Don’t think you’re going to win, don’t attack, don’t interpret or put someone in a booth, really listen to what the other person is saying win, and recognize the other’s right to have their say. The media contributes to polarization by not giving time to explain nuances in debates, believes another deputy head of SU, Linnea Sandsberg. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. Erling Wahl Salberg (17) goes to Strinda secondary school in Trondheim. He, like many others his age, is concerned with the right to express himself. But it happens that he makes it easy to say what he thinks. He thinks that it might weaken the grades because he has different opinions than the majority of the teachers. And sometimes he allowed himself to take up controversial topics outside of school as well. – If certain friends say something that I strongly disagree with politically, I refrain from saying it so as not to spoil the mood. Erling is not alone. According to the Ung2025 report, freedom of expression is the issue young people are most concerned about, after mental health. When were you allowed to speak your mind? When I think that a factual discussion is not possible When what I think is a bit controversial When I am afraid of not being taken seriously When I think it will create a bad atmosphere Show result Four out of ten in the age group 15 to 25 are completely or partly in agreement in that they find it easy to express their opinion because they feel that society is too politically correct. But there is a clear difference between women and men. Need for greater freedom of expression More men than women withhold their opinions. 46% of men, against 36% of women, recognize themselves in holding back their opinions. Erling has chosen the program subject “Politics and human rights”. In that subject, there is plenty of room to express one’s opinion. There, they practice debating. The limit for freedom of expression, for example, and the promise against hate speech. – That the state interferes, and censors certain statements, or punishes statements directly – I think that is undemocratic. Erling Wahl Salberg high school student Milka Samuel Tesfagergish (18) listens to what Erling Wahl Salberg says. But she does not agree with him. – I think it is good that we have that promise. You will not be punished for calling someone ugly. It is rude statements that are punished. Milka Samuel Tesfagergishvidaregåandee student Milka is supported by Vegard Snekvik Gressetvold (18). – Hate speech does not bring with it any basis for discussion, it only hurts. Then it’s good that society says it’s not okay. Vegard Snekvik Gressetvold secondary school student Although there is room to be honest in the classes at Strinda secondary school, the atmosphere there is affected by increased polarization in society. The distance between those who vote for the left party and those who vote for the right party has increased. And since 2020, the polarization between women and men has also increased, according to researcher Jana Birke Belschner at the University of Bergen. – If you want to counteract polarization, you must have a desire to understand the other’s opinions. Philosopher Ingun Steen Andersen says so. She works with dialogue and democratic learning, and has tips that can make you good at talking to and listening to people you disagree with: Ingun Steen Andersen is a philosopher and head of the Norwegian Society for Philosophical Practice. Photo: Pavel Storozhuk Don’t attack Instead of resorting to personal attacks when you get angry, you should rather describe how you yourself experience the term. For example, you can say: “When you say this, I feel hurt and provoked. I feel that you do not treat me as an equal. What was it you actually wanted to get across?” Don’t interpret too quickly. Avoid putting someone in a box Practice holding back your own interpretation of others’ statements. Let people themselves explain what they mean. Rather, think: “Here is something I react to. It’s uncomfortable for me. How can I try to listen to what it is actually about for the other person.” Ask open questions: “What is the reason why you are saying what you are doing now? What facts are you basing that on? Is there anything you have experienced that makes you think this seems right?” Really listen to what the other person says. When you disagree or are provoked: Be genuinely curious. Take the time to listen. Look for strength in the other person’s statements, not weaknesses. If something is unclear, ask for clarification. For example, you can ask: “Why is this so important to you? What kind of experiences have you had that make you see the world this way?” Don’t think you’re going to win. Go into the conversation with a desire to understand the other person. Don’t think it’s about winning or being right. Recognize the other person’s right to have an opinion Show that you respect the other person’s right to have their own opinion, even if you disagree. Avoid personal attacks, labels, irony or disparaging words. When you meet others with, for example: “I hear what you are saying, you have the right to mean this. But now I wonder what you actually meant?” you open up for reflection. Then you enable people to think together with you, believes Andersen. Want to find agreement – When you have two minutes to answer in a debate on TV, it is not a good starting point for arriving at solutions. You don’t get time to explain the nuances. That’s what another deputy head of SU, Linnea Sandsberg (21), says. She believes the media contributes to polarisation. Lars Mikael Barstad Løvold (23) explains it like this: – Polarization tends to intensify because you don’t always seek compromise and cooperation where you can, but rather stand your ground and continue to blather on. Sandsberg in SU has advice for reducing the gap between parties who are far from each other. – You don’t become stupider by understanding what your opponent is thinking. Be curious about how it is possible to think the opposite of yourself. Linnea Sandsbergnestleiar in SUFOTO: EMBLA KRISTOFFERSEN SJØVOLL Løvold in the FpU has a call for all parties. – To a greater extent, we need to agree on our agreements, what our goals are and how we can achieve them. Lars Mikael Barstad Løvoldnestliear in FpUFOTO: PRIVATE/PRESS PHOTO Taking things less personally The teacher in the subject “Politics and human rights” at Strinda secondary school knows how to challenge his class. – I often ask the students to take the opposite position of what they actually think, says lecturer Edith Raphael. The students find it useful. – When I have to dig for arguments that contradict what I think myself, it is easier for me to see what the other party is trying to arrive at, says Milka. Milka Samuel Tesfagergish thinks it’s good to be challenged to argue for something she doesn’t actually think. Photo: Erlend Lånke Solbu / news And the fact that others have different opinions than her is easier to accept. – When the discussion is over, it is easier for me not to take it so personally. Published 10.11.2024, at 07.49
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Young people find it difficult to speak their mind because they feel that society is too politically correct – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
