Therefore, it is accurate to say that young people are not completely oblivious to politics. If there is an interest there, then there must be a way that it is expressed. Clearly, this is not through voting.
Jeanette Mcvicker, a professor at the State University of New York at Fredonia suggests that young people have always chosen non-traditional ways of becoming politically involved. She brings up an important point in that young people have historically not been seriously considered when it comes to politics. She mentions how mainstream media has typically disregarded movements headed by young people, noting how the 1960s era feminist movement was treated as a joke and that media “challeng[ed] both [the participants’] femininity and their
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The Million Students March was an organized protest day on college campus demanding “tuition-free public college, cancellation of all student debt, and a fifteen dollar minimum wage for all campus workers” (#MillionStudentMarch, n.d.). The march occurred on November 12, 2015, and enjoyed a decent amount of success. At the University of California-Santa Barbra, an estimated 1,500 students marched, and overall, thousands marched nationwide (Mulhere, 2015). The movement also gained success on social media, once again representing a non-traditional way of political involvement. The hashtag #MillionStudentMarch on Twitter trended worldwide (Skinner, Panne, 2015) with “nearly 70,000 mentions” (Mulhere, 2015). Though these Twitter mentions were often not at all positive in regards to the movement, they show political discussion and political …show more content…
Although Mullen is clearly politically involved, she does not seem to be relatively politically educated. This interview finds her scrambling for answers and unable to back up the claims that she makes. As the organizer of such a protest, one would imagine that Ms. Mullen would know precisely what she is talking about, but most of the time she comes off as quite dumbfounded by Cavuto’s questions. Mullen claims that the “one percent” who hold the majority of America’s wealth should be the ones to pay for what she is insisting on being provided to her. Cavuto brings up the point that even all of that money would not be enough to cover three years’ worth of Medicare according to some studies, though he fatally neglects to cite where this information came from. Instead of formulating a rebuttal with cold hard numbers or reputable, cited information, Mullen simply states “I’m sorry, but I don’t believe that” (Washington Free Beacon,
Many political analysts argue that engagement is an important characteristic of democracy, yet the younger generation is indifferent towards politics. They’re more interested in the latest iPhone technology than in campaigning or voting. In The Good Citizen: How a Younger Generation Is Reshaping American Politics, author Russell J. Dalton counters this with the idea that Gen X’ers are still engaged, just in a different way.
Research has brought about an abundance of reasons why youth are becoming less engaged in the political process. Education, absence of political knowledge, the media and family influence, indifference to election campaigns, inadequate amount of change, and lack of motivation are all possible factors in influencing the youth voter turnout.
Throughout history, social movements have continuously formed because of a person who had the courage to stand up against the injustice they witnessed in every day live. When I was a child, I remember feeling as if it takes a superhero-like person to start a social movement. However, I have found that through the use of social media today, any person with a passion for making a change can spark a social movement. Social movements are a powerful way to help people believe that their voice matters and they should stand up for what they believe in. Before the advancement of technology, it took a lot longer for social movements to become prominent in society’s media outlets because of the difficulties of not having enough time in one’s life to
Political commentators often label American students not as liberals or conservatives, but simply as apathetic citizens unconcerned with political issues. The number of students venturing to the polls continues to be depressing to any advocate of a democratic form of government. Outside of political science classrooms, few students seem to be knowledgeable of simple political events and personalities.
When analyzing the voting turn out in this nation is becomes evident that the youth of America tends to be less active compared to their elders. Written in the book "Is Voting for Young People" by Martin P. Wattenberg he breaks down the key components connecting the youth of America to voting in order to come to the conclusion of how active the youth is in politics, and ways to make them more involved.
Political inactivity on the part of young Americans stems from one fundamental source -- a general cynicism of the American political process. This disdain for politics is further perpetuated by a lack of voter education and a needlessly archaic voting procedure that creates barriers to voting where they need not exist. While many of these existing problems can be rectified with relative ease through the implementation of programs such as Internet voting and better voter education, such programs create only a partial solution.
Today's society, as a whole, tends to view young people as indifferent and blasé about the world around them. However, students feel that they are tuned out by politics. According to the responses to the survey I gave, college students feel that the issues addresses do not pertain to them, and are not relevant to their lives. Issues such as Medicare, and what to do about social security are not a concern of young people and their lives right now.
Activism is the practice of taking action in support or opposition of a cause or controversial issue (Activism). Millions March NYC is a New York City based activist coalition combatting the issues of police brutality, institutionalized racism, and an examination of the New York Police Department in order to ensure a better treatment of all New Yorkers, primarily focusing on the lives of members of vulnerable populations, particularly black lives. This is a coalition of young activists from various racial backgrounds who are demanding for the justice of the victims of police violence and police brutality. Right now, they are one of the many faces of activism in New York City and the surrounding areas. In the wake of recent cases
Kathlene, Lyn. "Studying the New Voice of Women in Politics." The Chronicles of Higher Higher Education 18 Nov. 1992: B2. Periodical Abstracts. Online. 1992.
Young people are an indicator for the future of democracy, and social change occurs when young people assume their civic duties and replace the older group as voters and leaders (Syvertsen et al 589). Although youth may support human rights and social justice ideals in principle, they usually do not engage in any tangible effort to affect social change (Ry...
Social movements come and go; they represent all manner of political aspirations, and aim to achieve their political objectives by influencing a particular target group’s opinion. Some groups reach out directly to just a few key decision makers or constituencies, while others act more indirectly by broadcasting their message to as wide an audience as possible. Popular forms of social media have played a significant influence in social movements throughout the last few years. Two prominent examples are Ai Weiwei’s use of the social platform: Twitter, and the use of Yik Yak at the University of Missouri. Social movements rely on the media for the mobilization of political support, validation in the mainstreams discourse, and opportunity to broaden
We stopped only once on the drive down Friday to the Women’s March on Washington DC, and the rest stop was filled with people wearing pink pussyhats. Cars sporting homemade ‘honk if you’re going to the women’s march’, signs in the window caravanned to the nations capitol and we devised a new car game called ‘spot whose going to the march.’ While some officials put the numbers at 500,000, as someone who was at the march I’d say that number is grossly underestimated. The National Park Service hasn’t provided crowd estimates for gatherings since 1995 when they were threatened with a lawsuit by the organizers of the Million Man March.
Henn (2002) conducted a research on “Youth and political participation in Britain” reports that young people actively and enthusiastically take interest in politics. The perception is absolutely
Many listen to teenagers. but do not take in their views, or consider their opinions. This has to change. It is the teenagers who are the next generation. generation who could change the country for better or for worse.
The first motives which push me the political issues were the political writings and movies. There is a rule that is probably valid for the most, “I read a sentence and my whole life is transferred.” I accept it is seen exaggerated however young people have already be ready for these kinds of experiences which fire the ideas.