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Abstract
Based on a major qualitative study, this article examines young people's status as citizens. It argues that UK social policy assumes that young people lack citizenship—and so need interventions to develop their citizenship—but that this assumption is not based on concepts of citizenship, but on how youth is (mis)perceived. The research found that the young people prescribed to a number of different interpretations of citizenship, often simultaneously. It found that certain narrow conceptions—such as the employment-oriented model—can serve to exclude young people. Other models—such as that relating to socially constructive participation—better highlight young people's citizenship. The paper concludes by calling for a more conceptually comprehensive and inclusive view of citizenship, so that young people's status as citizens can be better appreciated.
The paper is based on the project ‘Negotiating Transitions to Citizenship’ (L134 25 1039), funded by the Economic and Social Research Council as part of the ‘Youth, Citizenship and Social Change’ programme.
The paper is based on the project ‘Negotiating Transitions to Citizenship’ (L134 25 1039), funded by the Economic and Social Research Council as part of the ‘Youth, Citizenship and Social Change’ programme.
Notes
The paper is based on the project ‘Negotiating Transitions to Citizenship’ (L134 25 1039), funded by the Economic and Social Research Council as part of the ‘Youth, Citizenship and Social Change’ programme.
1. One hundred and ten young people took part in the first wave of the study, 74 took part in the second wave and 64 completed all three waves. The balance of participants recruited in the first wave was reflected broadly in the balance of the final 64 in terms of ‘insider’/‘outsider’ status, gender and ethnicity.
2. This is qualitative research: details breaking-down different responses within the group describe similarities/differences within the group, and are not presented as being representative of, or generalisable for, a wider population.