Young People’s Perceptions of Civic and Political Engagement

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 9:45 am - Gold 1

Session Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract

In this session, scholars will explore different motivations, pathways, and attitudes toward civic and political engagement. that drives young people’s political engagement. The first paper will examine how Gen-Z activists in the American Southwest are redefining political participation, moving fluidly between “outside” activism—such as protest, grassroots organizing, and digital mobilization—and “inside” roles within formal political institutions, including running for office and policy advocacy. The second paper will explore how liberal and conservative youth use social media to engage in critical thinking about sociopolitical issues. The third paper investigates middle and high school students' civic engagement through Youth Stand Up (YSU), a digital curriculum centered on civic action projects.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Democratic Citizenship in Education

Chair

• Halleli Pinson, Ben Gurion University of the Negev

Papers

• From Protest to Policy: How Gen-Z Activists Build Power Across Boundaries - Tara Lynn Bartlett, Arizona State University

• Is It Critical Social Analysis? Conservative and Liberal Youth Social Media Posts During an Election - Sara Wilf, California Polytechnic State University; Samantha Quiroz, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona; Kendall Reed, Bates College; Elena Maker Castro, University of California - Los Angeles

• “You think big originally”: Exploring student perceptions of civic engagement within a civic action curriculum - Joshua Littenberg-Tobias, GBH; Rob Martinelle, Boston University; Kaylene Mae Stevens, Boston University; Kensy Jordan, GBH