Let’s first address the elephant in the room. Today’s student activist is nothing like those in the 70’s. Now whether that is good or bad is yet to be seen. But I will tell you this, as the 2018 midterm elections approach there will certainly be an unlimited source of issues to get out and “shout” about. Most importantly, we need to see how this current generation of student activists evolve.
Last week I spoke with a parent who asked me if they should put their daughter’s participation in the National School Walkout and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas demonstrations on a resume and college application. I thought that was a good question given the fact that everything our students do is put in some category or another in hopes of wooing the reader in thinking that our kids are incredibly altruistic.
Participating in political activism is good. Teenagers, late adolescents and young adults who voted, volunteered or engaged in activism ultimately went further in school and had higher incomes than those who did not mobilize for political or social change.
Remarkably, they found that civic activity linked to better academic and financial outcomes regardless of early school performance and parental education levels, two factors that usually drive later success.
Having meaningful opportunities to volunteer or be involved in activism may change how young people think about themselves or their possibilities for the future.
Taking part in even a single event may not, by itself, alter the trajectory of a student’s development. But many suggest that positive, lasting outcomes may result if organized civic engagement helps young people galvanize their belief in their personal efficacy, connect to empowering social networks, or cultivate professional skills.
Activism is usually a different social experience than other forms of civic engagement. While casting ballots and serving others both enjoy broad cultural support and are reliably gratifying, activism tends to be more controversial. Activism can be empowering. But it can also be experienced as difficult and stressful.
Indeed, the student who engaged in activism — defined as participating in a march or rally — enjoyed the positive benefits of greater educational attainment and larger incomes as they aged.
In the past activists historically have been members of counterculture groups where risk-taking may already have been the norm.
Today, activists might become discouraged by the glacial pace of social change. It’s tough to tell students who are used to immediate gratification from everything not to expect changing federal policy right away, but getting news coverage and raising awareness is the needed first step.
Parents can also help students feel that their activism is effective by making it about connection: “connecting with others, connecting with a cause and connecting with what’s already going on.”
While most teenagers may be too young to express their opinions by voting, participating in rallies is a way to make their voices heard. Those who want to join the effort to end school shootings can look at how the student-led March for Our Lives movement was scheduled for March 24 — a Saturday, so there is no conflict with classroom time.
Of course the decision about whether to support or disapprove of a student’s activism is as personal as any in family life. Some adults will cheer on students while others may oppose them.
While some schools have threatened to suspend students who participate, legal scholars say students have the right to demonstrate unless they are disruptive.
Looking at the issue from a social science perspective, adults should nurture adolescents’ efforts to catalyze political and social change because civic engagement can help teenagers grow.
And by the way to the parent who asked about listing their daughter’s demonstration participation – just list it in the activities section of the resume, as normal as a school cleanup or holiday food drive.
This column is by Ritchie Lucas, Founder of The Student Success Project and Think Factory Marketing. He can be reached at 305-788-4105 or via email at ritchie@thinkfactory.com and on Facebook and You Tube as The Student Success Project.
