The social perception of the camorristic phenomenon. Opinions of some adolescents living in Campania

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to represent and critically analyse the perception about organized delinquency and, in particular, about Camorra’s phenomenon. In order to reach this task, we decided to study this perception between the young people of Campania: 250 students attending the last three years of secondary education (high, technical and professional schools) and living in the cities of Miano, Arzano and Casoria. The research was realized using a questionnaire. First, we picked up general information about our sampling, then we asked the students to answer to many questions on different topics such as: criminal behaviours, typical camorristic attitudes, Italian State’s reaction, relationship and connivance between public authorities and organized delinquency, precautionary measures, conspiracy of silence and tendency of camorristic criminals to turn State’s evidence and dissociate themselves from their past views. We underline an important limit of this research: the number of people interviewed is too small to consider it representative of the total population, nevertheless we consider the results of the research worthy of consideration for some interesting informations about camorristic phenomenon in the perception of Neapolitan adolescents. First of all, we must notify that the 28% of students refused any kind of answer. All the other students showed a sharp knowledge about Camorra’s typical delinquency, its characteristic crimes, law’s broken contents and, finally, about camorristic regional control, purposes and means. In particular, there is a general and diffused disapproval of camorristic way of life: system of values, power aims, violent behaviours and unlawful activities. There is also a great disapproval about “omertà” – the conspiracy of silence –, even if it is a predictable attitude in front of the risk of dangerous consequences for complaint behaviour. Students expressed to have no confidence in public power and control: they’re afraid of collusion, of complicity between State and organised delinquency, but they’re also afraid of public inability to control and repress Camorra’s crimes. In conclusion, our students signify an hostile attitude with Camorra’s reality and politics, but on the other hand they showa worrying resignationanda forced and inevitable cohabitation with it.