Adolescent civic engagement: Lessons from Black Lives Matter

Arielle Baskin-Sommers (), Cortney Simmons, May Conley, Shou-An Chang, Suzanne Estrada, Meghan Collins, William Pelham, Emil Beckford, Haley Mitchell-Adams, Nia Berrian, Susan F. Tapert, Dylan G. Gee and B. J. Casey
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Arielle Baskin-Sommers: Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511
Cortney Simmons: Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511
May Conley: Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511
Shou-An Chang: Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511
Suzanne Estrada: Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511
Meghan Collins: Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511
William Pelham: Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
Emil Beckford: Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511
Haley Mitchell-Adams: Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511
Nia Berrian: Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511
Susan F. Tapert: Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
Dylan G. Gee: Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511
B. J. Casey: Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2021, vol. 118, issue 41, e2109860118

Abstract: In 2020, individuals of all ages engaged in demonstrations condemning police brutality and supporting the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. Research that used parent reports and trends commented on in popular media suggested that adolescents under 18 had become increasingly involved in this movement. In the first large-scale quantitative survey of adolescents’ exposure to BLM demonstrations, 4,970 youth (mean age = 12.88 y) across the United States highlighted that they were highly engaged, particularly with media, and experienced positive emotions when exposed to the BLM movement. In addition to reporting strong engagement and positive emotions related to BLM demonstrations, Black adolescents in particular reported higher negative emotions when engaging with different types of media and more exposure to violence during in-person BLM demonstrations. Appreciating youth civic engagement, while also providing support for processing complex experiences and feelings, is important for the health and welfare of young people and society.

Keywords: Black Lives Matter; adolescents; demonstrations; race (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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