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rakesh4all's Blog
rakesh4all's Blog
"Youth & Civic" Engaged! for a better future
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Civic engagement refers to a wide range of ways in which citizens can engage in their community. Exercising the right to vote, volunteering, going to public meetings, or writing a letter to a public official are all ways that we typically think of to be civically engaged. We have seen statistics revealing that these activities are happening less and less in today's society.

There is some discussion about whether the disengaged youth of today will become the engaged adults of tomorrow. Many believe, however, that young adults today have come of age in a very unique political climate. The regular events, such as sex and financial scandals in the administration are always raw in memory. A number of survey and research has shown that youth have little or no trust in government. This is a reality that we must address in any attempt made to engage youth in politics.

Political engagement, however, is just one component to civic engagement. Emphasis on government and politics alone gives an incomplete picture of the extent of youth's civic engagement. Volunteerism is another important area to consider in assessing the extent of youth's disengagement. While the high rates of volunteerism are promising in any consideration of civic engagement, the disconnect from the political arena is again, a source of concern.
This is first thing that send shivers down to my spine is getting youth more involved in the civic life and giving youth the tools they need to identify problems and develop solutions -- and warns against top-down solutions that require youth to "plug into" existing programs or campaigns.

Many Youth have turned away from politics and political institutions for the same reasons they have turned away from other civic institutions -- a sense that what they do matters little when it comes to the civic life and health of their communities or the country. Shifting to an approach that puts Youth at the center can be a powerful way to help ordinary people take action on the problems that are most important to them, and in the ways they choose.

Young generation should get involved in civic-engagement initiative that would connect young leaders to political leaders, to other civic organizations, and to meaningful debate about the future we will inherit. Youth the future should try to be good citizen by being personally responsible, participatory, and justice-oriented. Values play an important role as standards for personal behavior and as a basis for political views and positions on public policies. Specifically, we youth should learn to specify the amount of importance we place on religion, improving race relations, helping others, protecting the environment, civic participation, and secure employment.

There are many factors contributing to the lack of civic engagement in current time, including increased time watching television, longer commutes, busier schedules and lower membership rates in social organizations. The biggest factor in dwindling levels of engagement can be attributed to generational change. That is, our elders fail to instill this commitment in the next generation. Parents, teachers, mentors, volunteer managers, and all those that work with youth and young adults should look to this information as a call to action. They have not been shown how to be civically engaged, or why it is important. Their lack of engagement is, in many ways, the failing of those that came before them.

Emphasize on empowerment, and the acquisition of not only knowledge and skills but also a place in the arena, is one that should be kept in mind as you approach your work engaging young adults. We should try to have discussion of Politics in the Home, college and also in youth organization. Perception that Youth can make an Impact has to be cultivated in the mind of young people. History can be reviewed for the young people to make them understand and take into account the history of civic engagement within the specific culture we are working with. Were youth ever excluded or discouraged from participation in the political system? What are the effects of that history today.

Today’s Youth are part of the Millennium Generation born to get more engaged in their communities and feel responsible to become civically involved. They recognize the importance of being educated and involved citizens, but discard much of the information available to them because of its polarizing and partisan nature. They are turned off by intensely combative political debate. We also find that colleges and universities are providing very unequal opportunities for civic participation and learning.

As we approach our work engaging young adults from all walks of life in the political arena, we should remember, a substantial number of young volunteers became engaged in service after were asked. This simple tactic—asking—could be all that it takes to more effectively bring youth into civic life.

February 28, 2008 | 9:35 AM Comments  0 comments

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