Abstract
This paper assumes the premise that youth political socialization in contemporary society is based on dynamic processes, which emerge from the simultaneous actions and interactions of different social agents and contexts, constituting opportunities of civic learning and democratic living that influence the youth experiences of civic and political participation. This study explores the longitudinal effects of the interaction between family, peers, media, and the scout association in political activism, civic participation and online civic participation of young people. Through a longitudinal study design, the same cohort of 473 Portuguese scout youth, aged between 14 and 22, were observed in three separate moments during six months, between January 2014 and March 2015. A series of analyses of latent growth models allowed the analysis of the effects of the combination of agents of political socialization, both at inicial levels and at the trajectories of changes in forms of participation. The results demonstrate not only the interdependence between the various agents of socialization with which young people relate in everyday life, but also the influences that these exert vary according to the type of participation. Political activism is significantly influenced by peers and the scout association. The development of civic participation is enabled by the scout association and by the media (television and radio). Online participation is essentially exerted by the media (Internet, television and radio) and by the interpersonal discussions about political issues.
Political socialization; Civic and political participation; Longitudinal study; Youth
Source: Authors’ elaboration.