Activism, Service, and Perceptions of Inequities: Similarities Between Friends in a High School Social Network

• In Event: STEM, Civic Engagement, and Critical Pedagogy: Examining Opportunities and Barriers to Activism for Community Empowerment

Abstract

Scholarly literature highlights the importance of peer relationships for youth civic engagement and critical consciousness, but empirical research on underlying social mechanisms remains sparse. Social network analysis may provide insight into the relational underpinnings of youth civic participation. The present study examines friendship homophily on civic behaviors (service and activism) and perceptions of inequities using two waves of complete network data (2019, N=519; 2020, N=521) from a high school that serves primarily low-income Latinx youth. The results of Exponential Random Graph Models indicated that adolescents tended to have friendships with peers who were similar on service behavior and perceptions of inequities, but not activism. The findings suggest that schools may support civic engagement by providing infrastructure that supports peer relationships.

Author

• Christopher Wegemer, University of California - Los Angeles
  Presenting Author