Children as young as three are being exposed to sectarian divisions in Northern Ireland, a new report revealed today.
By the age of seven some are fighting with youngsters from across the religious divide, the study found.
Researchers from Queen's University, Belfast discovered startling contrasts in experience of violence depending on which part of the city they are from.
Dr Paul Connolly said: "Some young children tend to live under the shadow of sectarian tensions and violence while others are able to go about their lives largely oblivious to what is going on."
Dr Connolly and colleague Ms Julie Healy from the Graduate School of Education carried out 276 in-depth interviews with Protestant and Catholics aged between three and 11 in the survey produced for the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
Sectarian tensions and violence remain a significant part of their lives for some. By the age of three to four they are already becoming aware of the events and symbols associated with existing divisions, the study showed.
With a few years many are developing strong, negative attitudes towards the other community.
Children living in deeply segregated areas need long-term conflict resolution work and to build relationships across the divide to overcome their opposition, according to Dr Connolly.
"We have found that even by the ages of seven to eight, some children are already being forced to live with violence and conflict and are having to deal with the anxieties and fears associated with this.
"In such circumstances it is only natural that they will begin to feel hostility to those from the other community and even to get involved in conflict with them," Dr Connolly said.