This week, researcher and criminologist Henk Ferwerda presented the results of “In the shadow of Aruba: On youth delinquency, vulnerability, and resilience in an island community” during a mini-symposium at the University of Aruba. This research, conducted by Bureau Beke from the Netherlands at the request of the Attorney General of Aruba, provides an impactful view of the situation of Aruban youth.
According to Dr. Ferwerda, Aruba stands right at a crossroads between ambition and limitation. Youth delinquency in Aruba is not yet on a large scale, but existing cases are primarily characterized by violence and drug offenses. It is for this very reason that these cases pose a structural threat to social cohesion and the future of our island.
The key to the solution is: investing in youth. By strongly linking education, employment, care, and security together, Aruba is still in time to break the vicious cycle of crime—which is becoming tougher day by day—and to shape a resilient generation of young people.
Criminologist Ferwerda emphasized that the “dark side” of Aruba mentioned in his research is not just a metaphor or a figure of speech, but a social reality: a cluster of vulnerable neighborhoods, vulnerable families, and vulnerable youth living in the shadow of tourism progress. In that environment, poverty, drop-outs, broken families, and limited opportunities come together.
To guarantee Aruba’s future, one must look at and recognize this “shadow.” Because it is only by bringing attention to the dark side of Aruba that the beautiful and prosperous part will be able to continue to exist in the years ahead.
The results of the research are compiled in a book, which everyone can read and download for free on the website of the Public Prosecutor’s Office: www.omaruba.com