Engaging in Civic Responsibility: Inquiry Into Identities and Obstacles to Voting in Midterm Elections for Young Adults in the United States

• In Event: Teaching Toward Transformative Citizenship on the College Campus: Democratic Education and Civic Praxis With Young Adults

Abstract

This study examines the political attitudes, experiences, and habits of young adults in the United States to distil What educators and scholars can learn from young adults and their views of voting and citizenship. This research builds on democratic theories critical of neoliberalism and individualism in U.S. society, as well as a critique of the backgrounding of democratic citizenship education in schools. 517 young adults in two U.S. 4 year colleges were surveyed on whether they voted in 2018. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 40 of them. Findings indicate that educators can take action to better prepare young adults for participation in electoral politics and voting processes needed for young adults to have the confidence to vote.

Authors

• Matthew Knoester, Ripon College

• Wangari Gichiru, Central Connecticut State University