Youth Between the Comfort Prison and the Victim Role: How Can We Reignite Motivation Among Syrian Youth?

In Latakia, as across Syria, it’s impossible to talk about the energy of young people without considering the psychological and social context around them. What we might call the “prison of comfort” or the “victim role” are not signs of weakness, but rather defensive responses that emerge in environments burdened with challenges—and over time, they harden into barriers to action.

Amid service disruptions and economic instability, the mind tends to seek low-stress zones. Comfort here isn’t a luxury; but a means of psychological survival. One university student refuses any activity outside his studies, saying: “I don’t want the headache.” He isn’t avoiding growth; he’s simply trying to ease the pressure, even at the cost of his opportunities.

On another front, the "learned helplessness" theory is evident in recurring cases. A student who applied for a scholarship three times without success gave up, convinced that “everything is predetermined”. Failure was not interpreted as a need for improvement, but rather as a lack of fairness, which weakens motivation and fuels stagnation.

Add to this the human tendency to chase immediate rewards. A young man spends hours on entertainment apps but refuses to dedicate even half an hour to learning a new skill, saying: “I don’t have the energy.” Amusement offers instant relief, while personal development demands patience, he feels is pointless in the moment.

Adopting the “victim role” often comes from a need for sympathy or a way to dodge responsibility. A young man posts on social media: “No one ever supported me,” receiving words of comfort but taking no action. A student says: “My family won’t let me work,” without considering remote alternatives. In both cases, blame is shifted outward, keeping the individual stuck in passive mode.

These behaviors don't mean that young people are incapable, but rather that they live in an environment that undermines their sense of control. The solution doesn't begin with slogans, but rather with rebuilding that sense, step by step, through small experiences that restore confidence in the individual's ability to influence.

In Syria, we’ve seen encouraging examples: a young man who began designing simple posters despite having no prior skills; a student who set aside just 15 minutes a day to read economic articles instead of waiting for a training course; another who reached out to a single organization for training rather than waiting for the “perfect opportunity”; and a young woman who broke her fear barrier by simply jotting her ideas down on paper.

Self-leadership doesn’t mean ignoring pain; it means carrying it without letting it stop us. One young man coping with stress writes down each evening what he managed to accomplish, no matter how small. These tiny steps, repeated, slowly rebuild motivation and open new channels of energy.

Investing in youth potential doesn’t begin with demands—it begins with understanding. We must look beyond behavior and create safe spaces for experimentation, not judgment. Every move toward action, however modest, is an act of resistance against stagnation and an implicit declaration that we still have the ability to influence.

The views expressed in the published articles do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Forum.

Note: The original text was written in Arabic, and the English translation was produced by ChatGPT.

Reem Issa

Assistant Professor, Faculty of Economics, Latakia university