How Do Young People Become Politically Engaged?

Abstract

Despite the importance of examining how adolescents and young adults contribute solutions to society's pressing problems, gaps in the literature leave unanswered the question of how young people become politically engaged. Research suggests that youth learn to be political by forming attachments to their communities and accessing opportunities in the settings of their everyday lives. Settings operate as mini-polities through which youth develop a sense of what it means to be a member of a collective. Meaningful opportunities to practice political skills and behaviors can be fostered in schools and communities, via social media, and through policy change. Historic events, particularly elections, can also influence political attitudes and behaviors in lasting ways. Cultural and contextual variability in experiences, access to opportunities, and reactions to historic events shape youth's political developmental pathways. Research that is developmentally and culturally informed and that uses rigorous study designs can identify more effectively what determines the formation and growth of youth political engagement.

Meaning-in-Life Profiles among Chinese Late Adolescents: Associations with Readiness for Political Participation

“…We argue that the search for meaning is closely related to readiness for political participation because political participation provides individuals with four major sources of meaning in life: sense of belonging, enhancement of self-esteem, perceived sense of control, and sense of symbolic immortality [ 30 , 31 ]. Political participation is defined as actions undertaken to influence government or politicians to implement a change in decisions about social issues [ 32 , 33 ]. First, this is a process enabling individuals to connect with others or groups sharing a similar political ideology and a common goal [ 34 ].…”

Adolescents’ Evaluations of Political Leaders: The Case of President Donald Trump

“…Other commonly used justifications by youth may be more specific to the current political climate and president. For instance, given that immigration policy was key to President Trump's, 2016 campaign (Trump, 2016) and debates about immigration policy continue to be central to Trump's presidency (Pierce & Selee, 2017), we had anticipated that youth would mention immigration when justifying their ratings. Immigration was mentioned by many students on both sides, though it was a more common theme among youth who disapproved of Trump.…”

“…Taken together, findings indicate that adolescents are capable of evaluating and making judgments about politics and social issues. Such reasoning is an essential facet of civic development that is in need of greater study (Metzger & Smetana, ; Wray‐Lake, ).…”

“…For instance, immigration continues to be a hotly contested policy issue during the first years of Trump's presidency. Since becoming president, Trump has consistently voiced criticism of existing immigration policies, most notably epitomized by his campaign promise to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border (Trump, 2016). Recent research indicates that Latinx youth were highly aware of Trump's campaign messages about immigration, as well as statements about immigration since becoming president, leading to more negative views of Trump (Wray-Lake et al, 2018).…”

Russian State Youth Policy: Aspects of Youth Involvement

“…77]. Молодые люди получают от семьи, институтов образования, коллективов, в которые они включены, знания о политике, навыки взаимодействия с другими субъектами политических отношений, помогающие им в дальнейшем стать активными членами общества [3]. Особое влияние в вопросах политической социализации оказывает школа.…”