By Rachel Rickman

WKTV Contributor

While it might stand to reason that teenagers involved in activism within their communities become more politically active and conscious adults – there is now evidence to support the idea.

A new University of Michigan (U of M) study brings to light specific ways teen activism leads to more critical thinking and community engagement in young people. In addition, the data shows how youth engaged in community activism are more likely to continue their community and civic action as they get older.

Elevating awareness and engagement in teens

The study, recently published in Society for Research in Child Development, looks at how teenagers (specifically youths around age 16) elevate their awareness, become more politically involved, and develop a better understanding and more active approach to community engagement by participating in community activism—both youth and adult facilitated.

The study shows that addressing local and national political concerns with a group of peers or mentors helps young people develop a better understanding of their place within their community. They also maintain motivation to address problems related to inequity.

Young people joining in community engagement, the study found, are more likely to continue fighting inequities in society once they leave school.

By participating in their community, teenagers gain a better understanding of the ways inequity works within their own lives and communities as well as nationally. A sense of empowerment in their ability to create meaningful change is also a benefit.

Critical reflection and positive change

The study is based on the work of Paulo Freire, a Brazilian educator, philosopher, and outspoken proponent of critical pedagogy. According to the study, “He believed in the idea of critical reflection and action on the world to make it more just and equitable.”

Freire studied and proved that without development of critical consciousness it is difficult for young people to evolve a sense of their ability to create positive change within their immediate social setting, and that of a larger community.

Empowering action and providing tools

A Grand Rapids organization that has been putting Freire’s work into practice since 1998 is Our Community’s Children (OCC). The organization is a public-private partnership between school systems and city government.

OCC has multiple programs in place with the similar goal of engaging young people in their community, empowering action, and providing tools and resources to better their own lives and those of others.

Program examples include initiatives such as Kidspeak, a program for K-12 local youth facilitated by the Mayor’s Youth Council that gives young people the chance to talk to school officials, community leaders, and legislators about issues important to them.

The Mayor’s Youth Council, made up of high school city residents, gives these young people the chance to see how city government works. They also gain experience working directly with city officials and programs.

Challenging injustice

Young people participating in community engagement groups reflected in the U of M study are largely of Black, Latino and Hispanic descent—people who experience significantly higher rates of structural inequity. This is also true of OCC.

Participating in community activism gives students an objective look at the social problems and injustices surrounding them, allowing for a clearer perspective to challenge these issues. According to the study, “Youth’s exploration leads to a greater understanding of the self and relationships with others.”

Programs like OCC “give a platform to begin the process,” said Shannon Harris, Director of Our Community’s Children. A chance for youth to “start early in knowing how city government works,” and perhaps most importantly, “a brave space” for young people to “feel safe speaking their opinion.”

A wonderful example of continued community activism is found in Grand Rapids City Commissioner Kelsey Purdue. Purdue, a former member of the Mayor’s Youth Council, is now a City Commissioner for the Third Ward.

The conclusion of the study states, “Community-based activism, then, serves as a key consciousness-raising system that supports youth to recognize, negotiate, and challenge oppression in their lives.”

Create and support youth activism

There are many positive short and long-term implications of this study for schools and communities looking to create and support youth activism programs.

For more information on Our Community’s Children and how to become involved, visit their website: https://ourcommunityschildren.com/.

Rachel Rickman is a freelance writer, editor, and former university English Instructor with a BA, MA, and MFA focused on writing. She grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, but currently resides in Rosarito, Mexico with her husband and son.

Much of her work focuses on “narrative recipes”—personal essays with recipe/cooking ideas.