Fascists were typical for obsession with physical fitness and vigor, and more generally with the cult of youth. "Giovinezza"- "Youth"- was the party song. Young people are the prime target for every "totalitarian" regime; the Fascists were no exception.

In 1926 they founded the Opera Nazionale Balilla (called Gioventu Italiana del Littorio, GIL, after 1937), a youth organization with many branches. There were;

the Sons of the She­Wolf for 6 to 8 years old;

the Balilla itself for boys aged 8 to 11;

the Balilla Musketeers , for boys aged 11 to 13;

the Avandguardisti for 13 to 15 years old.

the Little Italians for girls aged 8 to 14;

From 1937, the best graduates of the system above could join the Young Fascists (Giovani Fascisti) until age of 21.

These various organizations were youth clubs with sport facilities, but they were also pre-military training bodies with indoctrination sessions. It was difficult to avoid them, at least in Northern Italy and while at school. And they had little competition.

By 1928 all youth organizations that did not belong to the Balilla (e.g. The Boy Scouts) were dissolved by decree. And although Catholic youth organizations did exist they were not allowed to organize athletics or sport, which was to be a Fascist monopoly; but they were permitted to engage in "recreational and educational activities having religious purpose". The Catholic youth movements were always a rival to the Balilla and to the GIL.

The Catholic student movement, FUCI, deserves to be specially mentioned. It had been founded in 1896, and it was the only authorized non-Fascist organization for students. FUCI had long-term aim: to prevent any Fascist monopoly of student life, and to train a Catholic lay elite. This elite would defend the Church's interests in the uncertain future, and Fascism would not last. Many of Italy 's Christian Democrat leaders after 1945 came from FUCI. So a new Catholic ruling class was being formed, under Fascists eyes.