Examining civic engagement opportunities for system-involved youth: a comparative analysis

ABSTRACT

Research has demonstrated positive individual and community benefits from youth civic engagement. But not all youth have access to opportunities for engagement. Race and class have been identified as key factors that can influence opportunities. Other factors may also contribute to disproportionality in this important realm. System-involvement, for example, is an important factor requiring focused attention. This paper contributes to the research on youth civic engagement by examining opportunities and barriers for system-involved youth. An intersectional lens is used to highlight youths’ system-involvement as a key variable and offers suggested strategies for better supporting the civic engagement of these youth.

KEYWORDS:

• Citizenship
• disabilities
• exclusion
• politics
• transition

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).