What is the "Boomerang effect"?

(AZpress) Censorship and Prohibition? In the modern world, censorship and prohibition of certain activities have become common tools for governments and local authorities aiming to maintain order, protect the population, or the environment. However, an interesting paradox often observed is that these restrictions can provoke the opposite of the desired effect, inciting more defiant and disobedient behavior. This is known as the "boomerang effect," and one of the most representative examples was seen in Naples during the New Year's celebrations of 2021, a scenario that has been repeating itself ever since.
 
The Prohibition in Naples
In 2021, Naples' mayor, Gaetano Manfredi, decided to ban the use of fireworks, rockets, and any type of pyrotechnics for New Year's Eve celebrations. The prohibition was based on public safety, environmental protection, and particularly the welfare of pets, which suffer greatly from the noise of fireworks (there was already a growing culture, now widely spread, of protecting pets more than humans). The ordinance included fines up to 500 euros for violators, aiming to dissuade citizens from engaging in these traditional activities.
 
The Citizens' Response
Contrary to expectations, the ban generated a massive and opposite reaction among Naples' inhabitants. New Year's Eve turned into one of the most memorable and extensive pyrotechnic displays ever seen in the city. Videos and photos shared on social media, as well as reported by local and international media, showed the sky of Naples lit up with a profusion of rockets and fireworks, creating an atmosphere almost apocalyptic in its beauty and scale.
 
Analyzing why the "boomerang effect" emerged, we find several psychological and sociological factors:
 
Challenge to Authority: The prohibition is often seen as a challenge to individual autonomy, prompting acts of rebellion in response. People feel compelled to challenge what they perceive as an unjust or exaggerated imposition.
Streisand Effect: This effect refers to how attempts to hide or ban something can paradoxically increase its visibility and appeal. Here, banning fireworks only made the community more interested in them.
Traditionalism and Culture: In Naples, as in many cultures, the use of pyrotechnics during celebrations is a deep-rooted tradition. The ban was seen as an attack on local culture, motivating a collective response to defend these traditions.
Sense of Injustice: The perception that restrictions are applied unfairly or without considering all perspectives can lead to acts of civil disobedience.
 
The case of New Year's Eve in Naples in 2021 serves as a model for how prohibition and censorship policies can sometimes produce results opposite to those intended. For authorities, this should indicate the need to reconsider communication and public participation strategies before imposing restrictions. Instead of strict bans, approaches like education, promoting less harmful alternatives, or even controlled regulation of certain events might be more effective. Moreover, it is crucial to understand and respect cultural traditions while seeking the well-being of all community members, including pets but starting always with humans.
 
But have our politicians learned anything? Well, NO! In this specific case, which also illustrates the boomerang effect, the Naples ban persists, and citizens have taken it as an annual challenge to municipal authority. Thus, every year - including in 2025 - the city of Naples adorns itself with fireworks, crackers, and rockets everywhere, creating a spectacular effect. Logically, the Municipal Authority cannot prosecute these thousands of widespread violations across the city, but instead of rectifying and annulling the ordinance, they keep it active, to the challenge and delight of all Neapolitans and tourists who have found in this prohibition yet another tourist attraction.
 

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