‘Immigrant’ men feel sharp end of French malaise

“It is not a question of nature but of condition. Living in a suburb makes them immigrants.” Clement, 27, Paris

French society has long overlooked the problems facing many of its deprived young men. By not focusing on improving impoverished suburbs, the government has perpetuated unemployment, discrimination and housing problems among these communities. There is a general state of malaise that exists in French society. On the one hand, this let’s young men operate with their own set of values, but as seen by escalating protests, it’s promotion amorality. The inter-tribal conflict is resulting from a lack in moral guidance, social reason, or mechanism for serving up values. Without guidance young French men living in these areas are conditioned as suburban immigrants, lacking the perspective needed to deal with modern social dynamics such as instability or exclusion.

The flash points occurring in France have been building for some time, hence why they shouldn’t be viewed in isolation. High unemployment and dramatic disparities between have and have-nots demonstrates how the French labour market polarizes opportunities, and as such is polarizing mindsets. The majority feel they are struggling to find themselves a position in society, whilst the minority feel that they have no place in society at all. An excluded underclass could become a permanent feature of French society and a significant element of youth culture.