Young teens spark violent raids in Italian cities, prompting calls for adult guidance

Recent riots in Milan, Turin and Bologna saw storefronts smashed by adolescents between twelve and fifteen years old, echoing unrest seen in France. Claudio Burgio, a priest who visited the detainees at the Beccaria prison, emphasized that the perpetrators have no political agenda and are unrelated to student or social centre protests. The piece contends that this wave of violence reflects a deeper societal failure: adults are absent as mentors, leaving youths without dialogue, direction or meaningful aspirations.

Citing Pasolini and literary references, the author stresses that the youngsters' anger stems from a lack of purpose rather than inherent delinquency. The column calls for “sufficiently good” adults—parents, teachers, community leaders—to provide guidance and constructively engage the younger generation.