Culture: a protective environment for adolescents in times of COVID

Lore

Culture is the group of manifestations through which life is expressed.  This means we are represented by our culture. Each one has unique characteristics that make us different from the rest. Therefore, cultural expressions act as a means to preserve traditions that can change according to the situation and the moment we are living. For example, in these times of quarantine, what used to be our daily routines is changing, we then need to create new ways of having fun with our family at home so we can adapt to live despite the problems and obstacles we face.  

Culture functions as a protective environment in these times of confinement and physical distance, since adolescents are coming up with new ways of having fun and enjoying their free time beyond the traditional forms of participation. This helps them to remain active and develop creativity through music, drawing, dance or study. I think after all, this time has been an educational experience since most young people have cultivated their originality and their capacity to create new things.

Through culture, I can avoid violence by doing the things I like such as instructive activities that increase my knowledge, make my imagination fly and create new tasks that develop my originality.

Harold

I think culture is the foundation that enables us to show all our capabilities and makes us grow… I think it gives you the ability to respect those around you.

As we are at home these days, families tend to talk about many things.  It is good to realize that even if you are young, you can express your opinion and your point of view is respected. That is very reassuring. This can be achieved through culture. To make it, I think reading is essential and, as the Little Prince tells us, there are books one cannot live without.

Daniel

Through artistic manifestations, culture has the capacity of reflecting and reaching affective and motivational parts of human beings like their personality, in that way creators are somehow able to get a message across to other people.

We have seen how art has become a perfect way to prevent violence, thanks to the flexibility and the multiple ways it offers to reach people with different personalities and behaviours, without losing its purpose.  

I understand culture as a series of features or elements that are part of a region’s tradition, but also as the development of different artistic manifestations. In my case, I’m a musician and during this time I have seized the opportunity of sharing some of my art on social media, together with messages of hope.

Through music, I can show my inner world, even when I cannot say with words what I’m feeling.

Culture can be a protective environment when a person adopts different ways of behaving and managing his or her emotional stability, which is also a part of culture. Therefore, during this time in isolation an adolescent can adopt a lifestyle where art is present and that will ensure his or her emotional balance.

Cris

Culture itself is a way of releasing tension and stress, we can feel better through it because of the results it brings about.

I would advise other adolescents to look for cultural contents they like and feel motivated by. There are countless possibilities, thousands of artists and an option for everyone.

For two weeks, these and other adolescents shared their experiences during the lockdown. They exchanged resources to deal with the disadvantages of the situation and learned not only to identify multiple manifestations of intra-family and online violence but also to prevent them with culture and other shared resources related to assertive communication and active listening.

These were enriching virtual debates that proved just how much young people can contribute.