Democracy’s Children: Engaging Young People in Civic Life

Scholars and pundits bemoan young people’s lagging participation in politics (only a minority vote), disinterest in following the daily news (an even tinier minority read the newspaper), and disappointing scores on tests of civic knowledge and American history (the majority fall into the “inadequate” group).  Downward trends began in the early 1970s and reached new lows around 2000.  The events of 9/11, Katrina, and conscious mobilization of the youth vote in 2004, sparked a upward shift which continued through 2008 presidential campaign and election. It is too early to say whether the data foretell a turnaround...

Read more...

3 comments - Posted by James Youniss at 10:00 AM - Categories: Education | Government & Civil Society