As a parent and father, one becomes shocked and horrified, said Johan Forssell to TV4 on Thursday morning.
Forssell means that he himself had not noticed his son's activities. According to the minister, it was not until Expo published their investigation, and when Säpo informed him at the same time, that he became aware of the situation.
When I have interviewed parents who have been surprised that their children are in these circles, they need to process what has happened to understand what lies behind, says Christer Mattsson, professor who researches right-wing extremism and violence at the University of Gothenburg.
Can be perceived as revolt
In his research, Christer Mattsson has interviewed Nazis, but also their relatives.
When the values are not present in the home, there has still been an awareness that the children have racist or misogynistic ideas. It has been expressed in different contexts and it can very well be perceived as a teenage revolt, says Mattsson.
Apart from reacting to how the child talks, it is also important to react when the person suddenly stops talking.
It is probably one of the clearest signs. If racist talk falls silent, it is either because the person has come to an understanding or that the person has been radicalized.
Changes in activities and socializing are also factors to be aware of.
The warning signs are also a part of what it means to be a teenager. The teenage years must be allowed to happen, but you have to have some supervision, says Mattsson and adds:
You should ask yourself why your child starts training three municipalities away, at the same time as there are eight gyms in the municipality where you live, says Mattsson.
Be vigilant on the mobile phone
It is important to be just as vigilant about what happens on the mobile phone.
Most parents want to know who their child socializes with offline, they should also want to know online, says Mattsson.
Apart from that, he means that the child's needs are the real issue, as for example a lack of community and context is what the young men are looking for in these circles.
We should not judge other parents who end up in difficult situations. We should emphasize parental responsibility, but we should also support where it is not enough.
