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Youth Activism on the Rise
Analysis of youth participation in political actions, highlighting the impact of social media, peer influence, and the "Greta effect."
Dutch
Netherlands
PoliticsNetherlandsProtestsActivismYouthSocial Trends
CbsVrije Universiteit AmsterdamExtinction RebellionWageningen University & Research
Greta ThunbergJacquelien Van StekelenburgGijs TapperLot Van BerkelLennard Van Der Toorn
- How have the scale and nature of protests changed recently?
- While there are more demonstrations overall, large-scale protests are less frequent due to decentralized organization and the resources required for such events.
- How does education level relate to political action participation?
- Higher education levels correlate with greater participation in political actions, likely due to exposure to politically engaged communities and discussions of relevant issues.
- What factors contribute to increased youth engagement in protests?
- The "Greta effect," inspired by Greta Thunberg's activism, and peer influence are cited as reasons for increased youth participation in protests. The ease of organizing through social media also plays a role.
- What are the diverse attitudes and approaches among young people regarding political activism?
- While some young people embrace various forms of activism like protests and petitions, others remain less engaged, preferring less confrontational methods or viewing such actions with skepticism.
- What is the trend in young adult political action participation between 2012-2019 and 2020-2023?
- Between 2020 and 2023, the percentage of young adults (18-25) participating in political actions increased from 38% to 44%, with women participating more often in marches and signing petitions.