POLITICAL INTOLERANCE AND DISENGAGEMENT IN YOUTH: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

This study investigates how young people see political intolerance and whether they are aware of the repercussions of rejecting the opinions of others and instead using the legal system to get their permission. Political disengagement is defined as a lack of interest in or involvement in political activities, whereas political intolerance is an inability or unwillingness to accept and value opposing political ideas. When young people with minority viewpoints are subjected to exclusionary attitudes and behaviors directed towards individuals or groups that hold different political beliefs, it can be interpreted as political intolerance. to comprehend the emotional aspects of adolescent political discourse and debate, including elements like rage, dissatisfaction, and emotional support. to investigate the ways in which people deal with the elements of violence in their own lives. Convenience sampling was used to select eight young adults from Lahore, Pakistan, who were between the ages of 18 and 30. Four of the women and four of the men made up the sample. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were used to gather the data, which were then iteratively processed utilizing theoretical coding based on a thematic approach. "Political intolerance and disengagement" are the central theme that emerged from the data, with five subordinate themes that included challenges in the political system, educational imperative, dynamics in political disagreements, political affiliation and emotional support, criticism of political knowledge and media freedom, and dynamics in political disagreements. Using a variety of common experiences and viewpoints, the essay concludes by explaining the contemporary impact of political intolerance on individual relationships, communal harmony, and national development.