Creating Cohesive Communities: A Youth Camp Experiment in India

• In Event: Trust, Solidarity, and Participation in South Asian Politics

Abstract

Non-family-based institutions for socializing young people may play a vital role in creating close-knit, inclusive communities. We study the potential for youth camps---integrating rituals, sports, and civics training---to strengthen intergroup cohesion. We randomly assigned 412 Hindu and Muslim adolescent boys, from West Bengal, India, either to two-week camps or to a pure control arm. To isolate mechanisms, we cross-randomized collective rituals (such as singing the national anthem, wearing uniforms, chanting support during matches, and dancing synchronously), and the intensity of intergroup contact. We find that camps reduce ingroup bias, increase willingness to interact with outgroup members, and enhance psychological well-being. Different camp elements account for these positive effects. However, against expectations, rituals boosted well-being for the Hindu majority group but had no impact on intergroup relations, while intergroup contact backfired, particularly for the majority. Our findings demonstrate that inclusive youth camps may be a powerful tool for bridging deep social divides. But we also highlight the challenges in crafting optimal integrative camps that benefit all groups.

Authors

• Gareth Nellis, University of California, San Diego

• Michael Weaver, The University of British Columbia

• Siddhartha Baral, University of California San Diego