Empowerment Within and Beyond a Youth Organizing Group

• In Event: Youth Organizing and Social Change

Abstract

Within U.S. community-based organizations, youth organizing groups (YOGs) support civic engagement around relevant sociopolitical issues. Using a phenomenologically-based approach, the present study explores how YOG experiences influenced participant sociopolitical development across organizational and individual levels of empowerment. A conceptual model demonstrates the influence of YOG organizational-level empowering processes (e.g., critically-oriented education, community, and civic engagement) on participant empowerment outcomes (e.g., political efficacy, critical awareness, and participatory behaviors). YOG empowerment specifically influenced career-decision-making, an indicator of sociopolitical development. Participants (1) translated YOG interests into career paths, (2) sought to empower others, and (3) utilized YOG capital. YOGs have the potential to support youth empowerment that is generative, benefitting society and participants. Implications for YOG scholars and programmers are provided.

Author

• Celeste Nicholas, Indiana University - Bloomington