Political Activism of Palestinian Youth: Exploring Individual, Parental, and Ecological Factors

Abstract

The growing literature on youth and political conflict has not included an adequate focus on youth activism. To address this deficit, this study used youth-and parent-reported data (N = 6,718) from the 1994youth-and parent-reported data (N = 6,718) from the -1995 Family Study to test an ecological model of family influence (parents' activism, expectations for their adolescents' activism, support, psychological control), youth characteristics (self-evaluation), and elements of the broader social ecology (socioeconomic status, religiosity, and region of residence) predicting Palestinian 9th graders' political activism during the first intifada (1987 -1993). Parental activism was the strongest predictor of youth activism, both directly and via parental expectations for activism. Classic parenting behaviors were not systematically useful in understanding activism; neither were socioeconomic status or religiosity. The model applied equally well for sons and daughters, with the exception that maternal activism contributed uniquely to daughters' activism beyond the significant effect of fathers' activism.

‘When the doors of Hell close’: Dimensions of well-being and positive adjustment in a group of Palestinian children living amidst military and political violence

“…Regarding Palestinian children, symptomsoriented clinical interventions focused on reducing traumatic and stress responses to war and violence may risk undermining the children's natural competence and ability to adjust, reproducing phenomena such as isolation, stigma and passivity that are associated with the policies and strategies of occupation (Spelling et al, 2012;Veronese et al, 2011Veronese et al, , 2012a. Participatory intervention focused on children's 'ease' and well-being may help to offset the downsides of emergency frameworks, promoting the competence and natural abilities involved in adjustment to trauma and positive functioning (Barber, 2013;Veronese et al, 2010).…”

Intergenerational transmission of political participation intention

“…As mentioned above, little research has considered the direct parental socialization of political participation. Direct intergenerational transmission happens when children directly imitate their parents' political participation behavior, when they receive direct instruction on how to participate in politics and due to explicit parental expectations (Nesbit, 2012;Spellings et al, 2012). We have been able to identify only a few studies that investigate the intergenerational transmission of political participation.…”

Leading refugee lives together: Familial agency as a political capacity

“…Familial political agency can thus be seen as a medium for the overall wellbeing of people (cf. Spellings et al 2012).…”

“…The majority of migrants in precarious situations have strong familial interests and hopes, involving various kinds of emotional and intergenerational relationships (e.g. Sassoon 2008;Spellings et al 2012; Duque-Páramo 2013; Williams 2015; Pascucci 2016; Peña and Ybarra 2017; Lind 2018; Jacobsen forthcoming). Depending on their life situations and cultural backgrounds, refugee families may aim at establishing a new life in a safe location, and young people may seek to form a family once in an opportune environment.…”