Low Participation of the Youth in Civic Engagements Information 2022

Running Head: LOW PARTICIPATION OF YOUTH IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENTS 1
Low Participation of the Youth in Civic Engagements
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LOW PARTICIPATION OF THE YOUTH IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENTS 2
In the history of America, young people many times play a significant role in politics.
This is vital because the youth majorly determine the future of any given country, and their
involvement in civic engagements enables them to become active citizens in a democracy
(Sloam, 2016). It is also clear that the youth deserve a right to represent their own interests,
ideas, and opinions in politics. As such, their unique experiences and backgrounds help to shape
political attitudes. Such engagement ensures that the youth can give back to the communities in
various sectors such as education, health, and charity works, among others (Kitanova, 2019).
However, research states that an increased number of youths remain politically active through
political movements instead of active engagement with and in political parties (Pickard &
Bessant, 2018).
According to Sloam & Henn, young people are typically marginalized in politics due to
their age, lack of experience, and limited opportunities (2019). Young people between 18-25
years are mostly left out or overlooked as political candidates because of the general implication
that politics is for experienced people. On the contrary, youth engagement in politics benefits
society as a whole, and their engagement in proper and accurate decision making ensures the
political success of a nation. Statistics state that people between the ages of 20 and 44 add up to
57% of the global voting age population, and only 24% of the same end up as members of
parliament in the world (Nissen, 2018). Additionally, the youth under 30 years of age make up
for 1.9% of Members of Parliament in the world. This proves that young people have limited
involvement in politics, but the use of democracy will help to ensure that everybody, including
the youths, can be engaged in political activities (Sola-Morales & Hernández-Santaolalla, 2017).
Other reasons that contribute to low participation of the young people in politics are;

LOW PARTICIPATION OF THE YOUTH IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENTS 3
1. The laws and regulations of many countries do not allow active political involvement of
young people. For instance, voting in Lebanon is only permitted to people above the age
of 21, whereas for one to run for a political position is 25 years (Fakhoury, 2016). This,
therefore, limits the youth aged between 18 and 21, yet they are considered as adults. It is
also evident that as much as the age for political candidacy is 25 years, such candidates
are regarded as novices in the political field (Bee, 2019).
2. Due to the negative reputation and impression from the elected politicians, many youths
lack trust in the elected leaders. The general perception that politics are “dirty” has also
driven the youth away (Collin & McCormack, 2019). As a result, young people tend to
stay away from politics and instead engage in other non-related activities.
3. The high unemployment rate of the youth has caused young people to put more emphasis
on developing their economic life rather than engage in politics (Fakhoury, 2016). For
instance, young people in Europe tend to prioritize improving their socio-economic
standards rather than focus on politics.
National Elections
Country
European Union 2011
68.6%
2012
68%
2013
67.9%
Greece 2007
74.1%
2009
70.9%
2012
62.5%
Italy 2006
83.6%
2008
80.5%
2013
75.2%