Shortage of youth clubs exists in Morocco

15/11/2006

Morocco is beset by a shortage of youth clubs, their uneven distribution across the country and their inadequate infrastructure. Some researchers are concerned about the effects of youth having limited entertainment outlets

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 15/11/06

[File] Youth clubs seem to be haphazardly placed across Morocco.

Demographic researcher Berrouyne Mustapha feels the 303 youth clubs in Morocco are not enough to meet the country's needs. Only one youth club exists for every 20,888 people in the 15-24 demographic in the country.

"Some of them lack basic infrastructure and are therefore incapable of meeting young people's demands," adds Mustapha.

Education researcher Mohamed El Aouad notes youth club attendance is hindered by the distance between them, the overall lack of clubs, lack of information, and absence of programmes and activities for young people.

He also points to a problem with the distribution. The distribution of clubs do not seem to follow any particular pattern, as El Khémissat has 16 youth clubs, while the much larger city of Tangier has only three.

El Aouad also points to a shortage of sporting facilities, as only 638 sporting grounds exist in Morocco.

"We've got nowhere to let off steam and have fun. All we've got is the street. That's not our fault," asserts 17-year-old Hafid Boukerracha.

Sociologist Ali Chaâbani agrees that young people have nowhere to relax and spend their leisure time.

"Young people in Morocco cannot live out their youth as they should because of this disappointing state of affairs, along with other constraints. They are confronted by other challenges when it comes to their integration into the life of society. They are reliant on their families or other institutions."

Mustapha states the shortage of infrastructures for leisure and entertainment leads young people to spend most of their time in cafés or mosques.

Chaâbani worries that the lack of entertainment areas leads many young Moroccans to turn towards television and video games. He is concerned that "television channels can have a dangerous influence in shaping tastes and minds".

El Mounabih Alami, a youth director at one of the centres, believes such facilities are a better option for young people because they are aimed at character-building and helping young people adapt to modern life by giving them the means to express themselves and develop their skills and knowledge. He adds that the objective is to bring them together to exchange ideas in an atmosphere of co-operation and understanding.