The role of family experiences for adolescents’ readiness to use and participate in illegal political activity

Abstract

This study used reactance theory as a starting point to explain what role a perceived undemocratic and controlling family has for adolescents’ readiness to use illegal political activity. Additionally, we examined whether adolescents’ readiness to use illegal political means was related to actual political behaviour, which has been lacking in research. Data came from a longitudinal sample of 424 younger ( Mage = 13.44) and 296 older ( Mage = 16.62) adolescents collected in a mid-sized city in Sweden. Results showed that adolescents who perceived their families as undemocratic and controlling increased in readiness to use illegal political means over time. In addition, but only for older adolescents, readiness was associated with an increase in actual political behaviour. The findings highlight the role a perceived family environment has on adolescents’ development of political values and behaviours in today’s democratic societies.

Who crosses the norms? Predictors of the readiness for non‐normative political participation among adolescents

“…One line of prior research focused on two specific forms of political participation, normative and non‐normative. While normative participation refers to legitimate, socially accepted forms of political expression (e.g., voting), non‐normative participation encompasses more radical activities, which include confronting the system, violating social rules, and being potentially violent, such as participating in illegal protests or demonstrations (Glatz & Dahl, 2016; Kuhn, 2004; Saha, 2000; Tausch et al, 2011; van Stekelenburg & Klandermans, 2013).…”

“…These two forms of participation are not mutually exclusive and they both result from overall participatory tendencies of adolescents. Yet, young people differ in their preferences for types of participation, and prior research raised a question of who would engage in non‐normative – that is, confrontational, subversive, or even illegal and violent ‐ activities ( Glatz & Dahl, 2016; Norris, Walgrave, & van Aelst, 2005 ) . A number of previous studies addressed this question with a specific focus on radical protests and demonstrations, examining the role of contextual factors and collective and inter‐group processes (Bernhagen & Marsh, 2007; Cameron & Nickerson, 2009; Klandermans, 2014; Mannarini, Roccato, Fedi, & Rovere, 2009; Wright, Taylor, & Moghaddam, 1990).…”

“…Since adolescence is an important period in the formation of political orientations and attitudes (Eckstein et al, 2012), the focus on the process of formation of preferences towards future political actions should contribute to our understanding of political behavior. Although these preferences do not necessarily determine the actual behavior, there is some evidence that adolescents' readiness for political action is connected to their future participation, as shown, for instance, by longitudinal studies on German young adults (Eckstein, Noack, & Gniewosz, 2013) or Swedish adolescents (Glatz & Dahl, 2016). We believe that by focusing on adolescents' readiness for non‐normative participation, we can construct a more complex picture of young people's political preferences, particularly in those contexts where non‐normative participation is uncommon, with rare opportunities for young people to actually participate in non‐normative political actions.…”

“…For example, a study on German early and middle adolescents showed that authoritarian parenting was positively associated with political alienation (Gniewosz, Noack, & Buhl, 2009). A study on Swedish early and middle adolescents found that an undemocratic and controlling family climate contributed to readiness to use illegal political actions (Glatz & Dahl, 2016). Kuhn's (2004) study showed that German adolescents spending less time with parents were more willing to use violent political action, and Schmid's study (2012) revealed that parents and peers influenced social responsibility and in turn, also illegal or violent actions of 16‐year‐old Germans.…”

“…In this sense, Gniewosz et al (2009) proposed that experienced lack of understanding and influence, caused by authoritarian parenting, undermine the development of trust between the individual and the society. Utilizing the reactance theory, Glatz and Dahl (2016) similarly proposed that the perception of controlling environment within undemocratic family can result in broader reactions in the form of readiness to engage in illegal political actions. Thus, considering the substantial role of family, peers and teachers in adolescents' development as well as political behavior, we examined whether those with worsened parent, peer and teacher relationships incline more towards non‐normative actions.…”