Disinterested and Disillusioned? Information and Political Engagement Practices of Young People from Disadvantaged Backgrounds
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| Title: | Disinterested and Disillusioned? Information and Political Engagement Practices of Young People from Disadvantaged Backgrounds |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Leonie Wunderlich (ORCID |
| Source: | Youth & Society. 2025 57(7):1210-1231. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 22 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Late Adolescents, Adolescents, Disadvantaged Youth, Educationally Disadvantaged, News Media, Social Media, Information Dissemination, Current Events, Citizen Participation, Political Attitudes, Mass Media Use |
| Geographic Terms: | Germany |
| DOI: | 10.1177/0044118X251315206 |
| ISSN: | 0044-118X 1552-8499 |
| Abstract: | Inequalities in news use and political participation exist among young people from (dis-)advantaged backgrounds which challenge the idea of informed citizens that can participate in democratic processes. Relating to self-actualizing (AC) and dutiful (DC) citizen identity paradigms and performative citizenship, this study investigates information and engagement practices of low-educated young people. The results from ten focus groups N = 46 with young Germans (14- to 22-year-olds) conducted in 2023 show four analytical networks that are mostly related to AC qualities. Contact and potential engagement with political information result from incidental news exposure on social media platforms. Participants' engagement practices are characterized by exchange on political topics in interpersonal contexts as well as little participation experience and limited self-efficacy. Participants' critical perception of media coverage comprises a limited representation of relevant topics and perspectives as well as a discouraging presentation of news. Group differences and explanations for participants' limited engagement are analyzed. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1482564 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Inequalities in news use and political participation exist among young people from (dis-)advantaged backgrounds which challenge the idea of informed citizens that can participate in democratic processes. Relating to self-actualizing (AC) and dutiful (DC) citizen identity paradigms and performative citizenship, this study investigates information and engagement practices of low-educated young people. The results from ten focus groups N = 46 with young Germans (14- to 22-year-olds) conducted in 2023 show four analytical networks that are mostly related to AC qualities. Contact and potential engagement with political information result from incidental news exposure on social media platforms. Participants' engagement practices are characterized by exchange on political topics in interpersonal contexts as well as little participation experience and limited self-efficacy. Participants' critical perception of media coverage comprises a limited representation of relevant topics and perspectives as well as a discouraging presentation of news. Group differences and explanations for participants' limited engagement are analyzed. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0044-118X 1552-8499 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/0044118X251315206 |
