Youth politics
Encyclopedia
Youth politics is a category of issues which distinctly involve, affect or otherwise impact youth
.
of the Newsboys
and Mother Jones' child labor
protests at the turn of the 20th century, youth politics were first identified in American politics with the formation of the American Youth Congress
in the 1930s. In the 1950s and 60s organizations such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
and Students for a Democratic Society
were closely associated with youth politics, despite the broad social statements of documents including the liberal
Port Huron Statement
and the conservative Sharon Statement
and leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Other late-period figures associated with youth politics include Tom Hayden
, Marian Wright Edelman
and Bill Clinton
.
was founded in 1936 as a communist alternative to the Nazi Youth movement.
In the UK there is a strong youth politics movement, consisting primarily of the British Youth Council
, the UK Youth Parliament
and the Scottish Youth Parliament
. Although they have no direct power, the young people in these organisations have a close working relationship with Members of Parliament and are fairly influential, albeit ineffectual at bringing about direct change or tangible objectives.
and politicians, youth politics in the United States has been illegitimated and deprioritized. Organizations such as National Youth Rights Association
and The Freechild Project continue to advocate and educate for issues that affect young people specifically, while other organizations, including Youth Service America
and Advocates for Youth
work for issues that affect youth directly. The children's rights movement
is widely credited with keeping youth politics on the national radar, while other fledgling movements such as youth voice
and youth participation
have yet to gain the spotlight.Even with the efforts of these organizations, many college students do not see politics as an important part of their lives. Only 33% of college freshman think being knowledgeable about politics to be important. Data collected in by the National Center for Education Statistics found that overall young Americans care more about entertainment and sports than political and foreign news. Despite these statistics there is a positive outlook on youth involvement in the future because of the 2008 election when President Barrack Obama ran.
and other sources.
Youth
Youth is the time of life between childhood and adulthood . Definitions of the specific age range that constitutes youth vary. An individual's actual maturity may not correspond to their chronological age, as immature individuals could exist at all ages.-Usage:Around the world, the terms "youth",...
.
USA
With roots in the early youth activismYouth activism
Youth activism is when the youth voice is engaged in community organizing for social change. Around the world, young people are engaged in activism as planners, researchers, teachers, evaluators, social workers, decision-makers, advocates and leading actors in the environmental movement, social...
of the Newsboys
Newsboys Strike of 1899
The Newsboys Strike of 1899 was a youth-led campaign to force change in the way that Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst's newspapers compensated their child labor force. The strike lasted two weeks, causing Pulitzer's New York World to reduce its circulation from 360,000 to 125,000...
and Mother Jones' child labor
Child labor
Child labour refers to the employment of children at regular and sustained labour. This practice is considered exploitative by many international organizations and is illegal in many countries...
protests at the turn of the 20th century, youth politics were first identified in American politics with the formation of the American Youth Congress
American Youth Congress
American Youth Congress was an early youth voice organization composed of youth from all across the country to discuss the problems facing youth as a whole in the 1930s. It met several years in a row - one year it notably met on the lawn of the White House. The delegates are known to have caused...
in the 1930s. In the 1950s and 60s organizations such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee ' was one of the principal organizations of the American Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. It emerged from a series of student meetings led by Ella Baker held at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina in April 1960...
and Students for a Democratic Society
Students for a Democratic Society (1960 organization)
Students for a Democratic Society was a student activist movement in the United States that was one of the main iconic representations of the country's New Left. The organization developed and expanded rapidly in the mid-1960s before dissolving at its last convention in 1969...
were closely associated with youth politics, despite the broad social statements of documents including the liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
Port Huron Statement
Port Huron Statement
The Port Huron Statement is the manifesto of the American student activist movement Students for a Democratic Society , written primarily by Tom Hayden, then the Field Secretary of SDS, and completed on June 15, 1962 at an SDS convention at what is now a state park in Lakeport, Michigan, a...
and the conservative Sharon Statement
Sharon Statement
The Sharon Statement is the founding statement of principles of the Young Americans for Freedom.Written by M. Stanton Evans with the assistance of Annette Kirk, wife of Russell Kirk, and adopted on September 11, 1960, the statement is named for the location of the inaugural meeting of Young...
and leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Other late-period figures associated with youth politics include Tom Hayden
Tom Hayden
Thomas Emmet "Tom" Hayden is an American social and political activist and politician, known for his involvement in the animal rights, and the anti-war and civil rights movements of the 1960s. He is the former husband of actress Jane Fonda and the father of actor Troy Garity.-Life and...
, Marian Wright Edelman
Marian Wright Edelman
Marian Wright Edelman is an American activist for the rights of children. She is president and founder of the Children's Defense Fund.-Early years:...
and Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
.
Europe
Youth politics have an extensive history in Europe, as well. Free German YouthFree German Youth
The Free German Youth, also known as the FDJ , was the official socialist youth movement of the German Democratic Republic and the Socialist Unity Party of Germany....
was founded in 1936 as a communist alternative to the Nazi Youth movement.
In the UK there is a strong youth politics movement, consisting primarily of the British Youth Council
British Youth Council
The British Youth Council is a UK charity working to empower young people to have a say and be heard. Run by young people for young people, BYC exists to represent the views of young people to government and decision-makers at a local, national, European and international level; and to promote the...
, the UK Youth Parliament
UK Youth Parliament
The UK Youth Parliament is a youth organisation in the United Kingdom, consisting of democratically elected members aged between 11 and 18....
and the Scottish Youth Parliament
Scottish Youth Parliament
The Scottish Youth Parliament, also known as SYP, is a democratic, politically independent, inclusive, charity set up by a group of passionate youth workers as a national voice for young people in Scotland....
. Although they have no direct power, the young people in these organisations have a close working relationship with Members of Parliament and are fairly influential, albeit ineffectual at bringing about direct change or tangible objectives.
Globally
Other continents have experienced a variety of youth politics and political movements.Present
Between the influence of mainstream mediaMainstream media
Mainstream media are those media disseminated via the largest distribution channels, which therefore represent what the majority of media consumers are likely to encounter...
and politicians, youth politics in the United States has been illegitimated and deprioritized. Organizations such as National Youth Rights Association
National Youth Rights Association
The National Youth Rights Association is the largest youth-led civil rights organization in the United States promoting youth rights, with approximately ten thousand members...
and The Freechild Project continue to advocate and educate for issues that affect young people specifically, while other organizations, including Youth Service America
Youth Service America
Youth Service America, or YSA, is a resource center that partners with thousands of organizations committed to increasing the quality and quantity of volunteer opportunities for young people, ages 5-25, to serve locally, nationally, and globally." YSA has a reputation for supporting and promoting...
and Advocates for Youth
Advocates for Youth
Advocates for Youth is a nonprofit organization and advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., USA, dedicated to sexuality education, the prevention of HIV and of sexually transmitted disease, teenage pregnancy prevention, youth access to condoms and contraception , equality for LGBT youth, and...
work for issues that affect youth directly. The children's rights movement
Children's rights movement
The Children's Rights Movement is a historical and modern movement committed to the acknowledgment, expansion, and/or regression of the rights of children around the world...
is widely credited with keeping youth politics on the national radar, while other fledgling movements such as youth voice
Youth voice
Youth voice refers to the distinct ideas, opinions, attitudes, knowledge, and actions of young people as a collective body. The term youth voice often groups together a diversity of perspectives and experiences, regardless of backgrounds, identities, and cultural differences...
and youth participation
Youth participation
Youth participation is the active engagement of young people throughout their communities. It is often used as a short-hand for youth participation in any many forms, including decision-making, sports, schools and any activity where young people are not historically engaged.-Coinage:Youth...
have yet to gain the spotlight.Even with the efforts of these organizations, many college students do not see politics as an important part of their lives. Only 33% of college freshman think being knowledgeable about politics to be important. Data collected in by the National Center for Education Statistics found that overall young Americans care more about entertainment and sports than political and foreign news. Despite these statistics there is a positive outlook on youth involvement in the future because of the 2008 election when President Barrack Obama ran.
List of current youth politics issues
There are several issues which are deemed "youth politics" by politicians, mainstream mediaMainstream media
Mainstream media are those media disseminated via the largest distribution channels, which therefore represent what the majority of media consumers are likely to encounter...
and other sources.
- Age of candidacyAge of candidacyAge of candidacy is the minimum age at which a person can legally qualify to hold certain elected government offices. In many cases, it also determines the age at which a person may be eligible to stand for an election or be granted ballot access....
- Age of consentAge of consentWhile the phrase age of consent typically does not appear in legal statutes, when used in relation to sexual activity, the age of consent is the minimum age at which a person is considered to be legally competent to consent to sexual acts. The European Union calls it the legal age for sexual...
- Age of majorityAge of majorityThe age of majority is the threshold of adulthood as it is conceptualized in law. It is the chronological moment when minors cease to legally be considered children and assume control over their persons, actions, and decisions, thereby terminating the legal control and legal responsibilities of...
- Child labor laws/Right-to-work
- Corporal punishmentCorporal punishmentCorporal punishment is a form of physical punishment that involves the deliberate infliction of pain as retribution for an offence, or for the purpose of disciplining or reforming a wrongdoer, or to deter attitudes or behaviour deemed unacceptable...
- CurfewCurfewA curfew is an order specifying a time after which certain regulations apply. Examples:# An order by a government for certain persons to return home daily before a certain time...
s - The draft
- Drinking age
- Driving age
- Education policyEducation policyEducation policy refers to the collection of laws and rules that govern the operation of education systems.Education occurs in many forms for many purposes through many institutions. Examples include early childhood education, kindergarten through to 12th grade, two and four year colleges or...
/reformEducation reformEducation reform is the process of improving public education. Small improvements in education theoretically have large social returns, in health, wealth and well-being. Historically, reforms have taken different forms because the motivations of reformers have differed.A continuing motivation has... - Emancipation of minorsEmancipation of minorsAn emancipated minor is a minor who is allowed to conduct a business or any other occupation on their own behalf or for their own account outside the influence of a parent or guardian. The minor will then have full contractual capacity to conclude contract with regard to the business. Whether...
- Gun Rights
- Healthcare
- ImmigrationImmigrationImmigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
- List of the youngest mayors in the United States
- Minors and abortion
- National serviceNational serviceNational service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
- Right to sign a contract
- School reform
- Student rightsStudent rightsStudent rights are those rights which protect students, here meaning those persons attending schools, universities and other educational institutions...
- Voting ageVoting ageA voting age is a minimum age established by law that a person must attain to be eligible to vote in a public election.The vast majority of countries in the world have established a voting age. Most governments consider that those of any age lower than the chosen threshold lack the necessary...
- Youth participationYouth participationYouth participation is the active engagement of young people throughout their communities. It is often used as a short-hand for youth participation in any many forms, including decision-making, sports, schools and any activity where young people are not historically engaged.-Coinage:Youth...
- Youth serviceYouth serviceYouth service refers to non-military, intensive engagement of young people in organized activity that contributes to the local, national, or world community. Youth service is widely recognized and valued by society, with minimal or no compensation to the server. Youth service also provides...
- Youth voteYouth voteThe youth vote is a political term used primarily in the United States to describe 18 to 29-year-olds and their voting habits.The term "Youth Vote" goes back to the 1930s, when low-income rural and urban young people in the United States were first mobilized to vote in blocs by the youth activism...
- Zero toleranceZero tolerance (schools)A zero-tolerance policy in schools is a policy of punishing any infraction of a rule, regardless of accidental mistakes, ignorance, or extenuating circumstances. In schools, common zero-tolerance policies concern possession or use of drugs or weapons...
List of current youth politics organizations
There are thousands of youth politics organizations and programs around the world.- Dáil na nÓg (Irish Youth Parliament)
- National Youth OrganisationNational Youth OrganisationThe National Youth Organisation is a representative body of students and young people in the Republic of Ireland, which focuses on issues that affect young people....
- Young Democrats of AmericaYoung Democrats of AmericaThe Young Democrats of America , founded in 1932, is the official youth arm of the Democratic Party of the United States, although it severed official ties with the Democratic National Committee following passage of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 and became an independent 527 group...
- College Democrats of America
- UK Youth ParliamentUK Youth ParliamentThe UK Youth Parliament is a youth organisation in the United Kingdom, consisting of democratically elected members aged between 11 and 18....
- Scottish Youth ParliamentScottish Youth ParliamentThe Scottish Youth Parliament, also known as SYP, is a democratic, politically independent, inclusive, charity set up by a group of passionate youth workers as a national voice for young people in Scotland....
- European Liberal YouthEuropean Liberal YouthEuropean Liberal Youth is an international organisation of Liberal youth movements - mostly the youth wings of members of the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party....
- International Federation of Liberal YouthInternational Federation of Liberal YouthThe International Federation of Liberal Youth is an international liberal youth organization. It consists of a global membership of national youth organizations. These are often but not exclusively affiliated with political parties that are members of Liberal International.IFLRY continues the...
- Youth wings of political parties in Denmark
- Green YouthGreen YouthGreen Youth may refer to one of the following youth wings of Green political parties:*Green Youth *Young Greens of Sweden-See also:* Young Greens :Category:Youth wings of Green parties...
- Green Youth (Sweden)Green Youth (Sweden)The Young Greens of Sweden is the youth wing of the Swedish Green Party . GU does not have a program of its own, and is unique among Swedish political youth organizations by following the program and policies of the mother party....
- Tbilisi Youth City Assembly
- Democratic Youth Party
- Communist Youth Movement
- Egypt Youth PartyEgypt Youth PartyThe Egypt Youth Party is a small democratic secular political party in Egypt.-External links:* at sis.gov.eg...
- Christian Democratic YouthChristian Democratic YouthKristendemokratisk Ungdom , formerly Kristelig Folkepartis Ungdom , is the youth league of Christian Democrats ....
- Youth of the Danish People's PartyYouth of the Danish People's PartyDansk Folkepartis Ungdom is the youth wing of the Danish People's Party.- External links :*...
- Youth of the Progress PartyYouth of the Progress PartyYouth of the Progress Party is the youth wing of the Progress Party of Denmark.- External links :*...
- Jugendverband REBELLJugendverband REBELLJugendverband REBELL , a political youth organization in Germany. It is the youth wing of the Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany ....
- Northern Ireland Young Communist LeagueNorthern Ireland Young Communist LeagueNorthern Ireland Young Communist League was a political youth movement in Northern Ireland. It was the youth wing of the Communist Party of Northern Ireland. It was later amalgamated into the Connolly Youth Movement....
- Turkey Youth UnionTurkey Youth UnionTurkey Youth Union is a left-wing nationalist political youth organization founded on 19 May 2006. It comprises 65 student clubs and societies from over 40 Turkish universities...
- European Free Alliance YouthEuropean Free Alliance YouthEuropean Free Alliance Youth is a youth organisation made up of members who belong to organisations, movements or political parties that safeguard and promote the cultural, linguistic and national diversity of Europe...
- Youth of the Popular Movement against EUYouth of the Popular Movement against EUUngdom mod EU is the youth wing of the People's Movement against the EU.- External link s:*...
- Democratic youth movementDemocratic youth movementThe Democratic Youth Movement , is a NGO in Bosnia and Herzegovina.It was founded in 2005, as youth movement for freedom, democracy and unity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. They have never participated in regular elections, but they work on another level of activity...
- Communist Youth of Côte d'IvoireCommunist Youth of Côte d'IvoireCommunist Youth of Côte d'Ivoire is a political youth movement in Côte d'Ivoire. JCOCI is the youth wing of the Revolutionary Communist Party of Côte d'Ivoire....
- Young EcologistsYoung EcologistsJunge Ökologen is a political youth organization in Germany. It is the youth wing of the Ecological Democratic Party .-External links:*...
- Young Communist League of GermanyYoung Communist League of GermanyThe Young Communist League of Germany was a political youth organization in Germany. It was formed in 1920 from the Free Socialist Youth of the Communist Party of Germany, which itself was formed in October 1918, with support from the Spartacus League . The KJVD was created in 1925...
- All India Socialist Youth CouncilAll India Socialist Youth CouncilAll India Socialist Youth Council was a political youth movement in India. It was the youth wing of Samajwadi Janata Party. The president of AISYC 1992–1996 was Bakta Charan Das....
- Young Americans for FreedomYoung Americans for FreedomYoung Americans for Freedom is a 501 non-profit organization and is now a project of Young America's Foundation. YAF is an ideologically conservative youth activism organization that was founded in 1960, as a coalition between traditional conservatives and libertarians...
- Puerto Rico Statehood Students AssociationPuerto Rico Statehood Students AssociationThe Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association, Inc. , based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is an American non-profit student organization dedicated to promoting statehood for Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States...
- College Republican National Committee
- Young Americans for FreedomYoung Americans for FreedomYoung Americans for Freedom is a 501 non-profit organization and is now a project of Young America's Foundation. YAF is an ideologically conservative youth activism organization that was founded in 1960, as a coalition between traditional conservatives and libertarians...
- Bus ProjectBus ProjectThe Bus Project is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization that engages young people in progressive politics and catalyzes action around progressive issues within the U.S. state of Oregon. The Oregon Bus Project’s mission is to drive Oregon to be a progressive model for the nation...
- Anarchist Youth Network
- TractionTraction (organization)Traction is a progressive non-profit organization promoting civic engagement, based in the city of Durham, North Carolina. Traction's goal is to inform, inspire and connect a growing social network of left-leaning 20- and 30-somethings...
- Young RepublicansYoung RepublicansThe Young Republicans is an organization for members of the Republican Party of the United States between the ages of 18 and 40. It has both a national organization and chapters in individual states....
- YOM - Youth on the Move
- Teenage RepublicansTeenage RepublicansTeen Age Republicans or "TARs" is a political youth organization that is an official auxiliary to the United States Republican Party. There are various TAR clubs throughout the United States, at county and state levels. TAR has a presence in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, and...
See also
- Youth voiceYouth voiceYouth voice refers to the distinct ideas, opinions, attitudes, knowledge, and actions of young people as a collective body. The term youth voice often groups together a diversity of perspectives and experiences, regardless of backgrounds, identities, and cultural differences...
- Youth activismYouth activismYouth activism is when the youth voice is engaged in community organizing for social change. Around the world, young people are engaged in activism as planners, researchers, teachers, evaluators, social workers, decision-makers, advocates and leading actors in the environmental movement, social...
- Youth empowermentYouth empowermentYouth empowerment is an attitudinal, structural, and cultural process whereby young people gain the ability, authority, and agency to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other people, including youth and adults....
- Youth rightsYouth rightsYouth rights refers to a set of philosophies intended to enhance civil rights for young people. They are a response to the oppression of young people, with advocates challenging ephebiphobia, adultism and ageism through youth participation, youth/adult partnerships, and promoting, ultimately,...
- Youth organizations
- List of youth councils
- :Category:Youth model governments
- :Category:Youth wings of Green parties in Europe
External links
- Sitaraman, G. and Warren, P. (2003) Invisible Citizens: Youth Politics After September 11. Writers Club Press.
- Daifallah, A. (1999) A Blueprint for student political influence. Originally published in the Peterborough Examiner. Institute on Governance website.
- Hansson K. and Lundahl L. (2004) "Youth politics and local constructions of youth," British Journal of Sociology of Education, Volume 25(2) April 2004 , pp. 161-178.
- CIRCLE - Center for Information and Research on Civil Learning and Engagement. Website includes dozens of reports on youth politics.
- SpunOut.ie Irish National Youth Website
- Giroux, H. (2001) "Zero Tolerance: Youth and the politics of domestic militarization, Part I," Z Magazine.
- Youth Political Bloggers