Civic Engagement and Advocacy in Rural Wisconsin: Youth Development Through Legislative Forums

Authors

  • Doug Liphart University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension
  • Neil James Klemme University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension
  • Ian B. Meeker University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2022.1194

Keywords:

civic engagement, social capital, civic skills, youth–adult partnerships

Abstract

Youth Development programming that engages youth to work side by side with local leaders creates an environment where youth develop civic skills. These skills include a greater understanding of the legislative process, their role in our democracy, and increased engagement in the democratic process. Through their participation in the Superior Days Legislative Forum, youth increase their civic skills, are inspired to create change in their communities, ask questions and respond to challenges by bringing legislative issues of concern unique to their community to the entire representative body at the state capitol. Youth delegates also gain experience partnering with adults from their communities, establish healthy developmental relationships, and expand their social networks. This article draws from research related to civic engagement, youth in decision-making roles, and programming intended to raise youth voice to make community change. This paper uses focus group interviews as well as post-then-pre-program surveys to understand the impact of the Superior Days Legislative Forum on youth participants.

Author Biographies

Doug Liphart, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension

Doug is a Professor with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension. His programming focuses on building future leaders with strong character. Highlights from his programming include a restorative justice program, leadership programming in a variety of classroom, community and outdoor settings, as well as strong partnerships with the tribal communities within his county. 

Neil James Klemme, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension

Neil is currently Associate Professor with Tenure with the University of Wisconsin Extension Institute of Positive Youth Development . His programming focusses on Youth Engagement in community leadership, youth in governance programming and community development initiatives.He uses placemaking principles to help youth understand the needs of their community and to build a stronger connection to the communities they live in.

Ian B. Meeker, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension

Ian is an Associate Professor for the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Division of Extension.  Ian’s area of Academic focus within the Institute of Positive Youth Development is Outdoor Leadership Education. He can be found on the south shore of Lake Superior integrating leadership development and an appreciation for the natural world through kayaking, mountain biking, canoeing and cross country skiing.

References

Anderson, C., Baker, B., Brown, M., Calvert, M., Fields, N., Henness, S., Klemme, N., Nathaniel, K. C., & Lonning, J. (2019). Contribution of 4-H participation to the development of social capital within communities: Toolkit. National 4-H.

Arnold, M. E. (2018). From context to outcomes: A thriving model for 4-H youth development programs. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, 6(1). https://www.jhseonline.com/article/view/653

Benson, P. L., Scales, P. C., Hamilton, S. F., & Sesma Jr, A. (2006). Positive youth development: Theory, research, and applications. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470147658.chpsy0116

Bourdieu, P. (1986). The forms of capital. In J. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of theory and research for the sociology of education, pp. 241–258. Greenwood.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Camino, L., & Zeldin, S. (2002). From periphery to center: Pathways for youth civic engagement in the day-to-day life of communities. Applied Developmental Science, 6(4), 213–220. https://doi.org/10.1207/S1532480XADS0604_8

Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. (2013). All together now: Collaboration and innovation for youth engagement (Report of the Commission on Youth Voting and Civic Knowledge). www.civicyouth.org/about-circle/commission-on-youth-voting-civic-knowledge/

Doolittle, A., & Faul, A. C. (2013). Civic engagement scale: A validation study. Sage Open, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244013495542

Flanagan, C. A., & Faison, N. (2001). Youth civic development: Implications of research for social policy and programs. Civic Engagement. Paper 11. http://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/slceciviceng/11

Flanagan, C. A., & Levine, P. (2008). Civic engagement and the transition to adulthood. The Future of Children, 20(1), 149–179. https://doi.org/10.1353/foc.0.0043

Guest, G., MacQueen, K. M., & Namey, E. E. (2012). Introduction to applied thematic analysis. In G. Guest, K. M. MacQueen, & E. E. Namey (Eds.), Applied thematic analysis, (pp. 3–20). https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781483384436.n1

Henness, S. A., Ball, A. L., & Moncheski, M. (2013). A community development approach to service‐learning: Building social capital between rural youth and adults. New Directions for Youth Development, 2013(138), 75–95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/yd.20059

National 4-H Council. (2020). Beyond the gap; How America can address the widening opportunity gap facing young people. https://4-h.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Beyond-the-Gap-White-paper.pdf

Niemi, R. G., & Junn, J. (1998). Civic education: What makes students learn. Yale University Press.

Norman, J. (2001). Building effective youth-adult partnerships. IAPAC Monthly, 7(12), 323–326.

Pittman, K. (1999). The power of youth engagement. Youth Today, 8, 63.

Schlegel, A., & Barry, H., III. (1991). Adolescence: An anthropological inquiry. Free Press.

Sherrod, L. R., Flanagan, C., & Youniss, J. (2002). Dimensions of citizenship and opportunities for youth development: The what, why, when, where, and who of citizenship development. Applied Developmental Science, 6(4), 264–272. https://doi.org/10.1207/S1532480XADS0604_14

Torney-Purta, J. (2000). Comparative perspectives on political socialization and civic education. Comparative Education Review, 44(1), 88–95.

White, R., & Wyn, J. (1998). Youth agency and social context. Journal of sociology, 34(3), 314–327. https://doi.org/10.1177/144078339803400307

Zeldin, S., McDaniel, A. K., Topitzes, D., & Calvert, M. (2000). Youth in decision-making: A study on the impacts of youth on adults and organizations. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs.

Zeldin, S., Christens, B. D., & Powers, J. L. (2013). The psychology and practice of youth-adult partnership: Bridging generations for youth development and community change. American journal of community psychology, 51(3), 385–397. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-012-9558-y

Downloads

Published

2022-09-27

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 3 (2022)

Section

Feature Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. The Author retains copyright in the Work, where the term “Work” shall include all digital objects that may result in subsequent electronic publication or distribution.
  2. Upon acceptance of the Work, the author shall grant to the Publisher the right of first publication of the Work.
  3. The Author shall grant to the Publisher and its agents the nonexclusive perpetual right and license to publish, archive, and make accessible the Work in whole or in part in all forms of media now or hereafter known under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License or its equivalent, which, for the avoidance of doubt, allows others to copy, distribute, and transmit the Work under the following conditions:
    1. Attribution—other users must attribute the Work in the manner specified by the author as indicated on the journal Web site;
    with the understanding that the above condition can be waived with permission from the Author and that where the Work or any of its elements is in the public domain under applicable law, that status is in no way affected by the license.
  4. The Author is able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the nonexclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the Work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), as long as there is provided in the document an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  5. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post online a prepublication manuscript (but not the Publisher’s final formatted PDF version of the Work) in institutional repositories or on their Websites prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work. Any such posting made before acceptance and publication of the Work shall be updated upon publication to include a reference to the Publisher-assigned DOI (Digital Object Identifier) and a link to the online abstract for the final published Work in the Journal.
  6. Upon Publisher’s request, the Author agrees to furnish promptly to Publisher, at the Author’s own expense, written evidence of the permissions, licenses, and consents for use of third-party material included within the Work, except as determined by Publisher to be covered by the principles of Fair Use.
  7. The Author represents and warrants that:
    1. the Work is the Author’s original work;
    2. the Author has not transferred, and will not transfer, exclusive rights in the Work to any third party;
    3. the Work is not pending review or under consideration by another publisher;
    4. the Work has not previously been published;
    5. the Work contains no misrepresentation or infringement of the Work or property of other authors or third parties; and
    6. the Work contains no libel, invasion of privacy, or other unlawful matter.
  8. The Author agrees to indemnify and hold Publisher harmless from Author’s breach of the representations and warranties contained in Paragraph 6 above, as well as any claim or proceeding relating to Publisher’s use and publication of any content contained in the Work, including third-party content.

Revised 7/16/2018. Revision Description: Removed outdated link.