Activity In Youth Research Articles

From environmentalism to activism: comparing environmentalist students and Fridays for Future protesters in Hungary

ABSTRACT A distinctive feature of the global climate movement at the end of the 2010s was the massive involvement of young people. While the generational character of the climate movement was acknowledged by scholars in the field, the comparison of youth passive environmental consciousness and activism had not yet received adequate research attention. This paper investigates the sociological factors and political attitudes that can determine young people’s self-identification as environmentalists and their engagement in protest actions. The research question was addressed using two datasets: a database comprising Hungarian students (N = 800) and a protest survey database from the Fridays For Future (FFF) protests in Budapest (N = 258). Data collection took place in both cases in 2019. The findings reveal two distinct patterns: environmentalism is associated with a lower socio-economic status, disinterest in politics, dissatisfaction with the state of democracy, and passivity in terms of collective forms of political participation. On the other hand, FFF protesters exhibit a higher socio-economic status and are more actively involved in demonstrations but are less engaged in institutionalized forms of political participation. These results indicate that participating in climate protests carries significant cultural and social costs, even for young individuals.

There is More to the Story than Skipping School

This article offers a reflective exploration of the storied experiences of young climate strikers in Bristol through a narrative inquiry approach. In-depth analysis of the narratives of the young people collected at two distinct timepoints illustrates the complexity of young people’s stories of activism to develop a localised sub-narrative. Before the covid-19 pandemic, young people’s climate activism was at a high with the movement known as Youth Strike 4 Climate (YS4C) or Fridays For Future (FFF). The wave of young people’s climate activism was sustained by a powerful metanarrative (Han and Ahn 2020). This study explores the narrative accounts of three youth activists in Bristol to draw out distinct components of the local sub-narrative of the YS4C movement. The data is collected though in-depth narrative interviews in 2020 and follow-up interviews in 2023. The narrative approach taken in this article views the process of telling and re-telling stories as a collaborative meaning-making process (Clandinin and Connelly 2000); by reflecting back on their own earlier words, the young people are brought into the research process and centred as co-producers of knowledge. The study finds that their accounts are action-oriented, justice-driven and community-focussed. The narratives reveal how young activists cast themselves as protagonists and thereby enact political agency. Striking as a tactic is explored from the perspective of a post-covid world. The article suggests that the end of the strikes locally does not signify the end of the movement.

Transnational Youth Activist Networks in Asia: The Evolution and Dynamics of the Milk Tea Alliance

Transnational Youth Activist Networks in Asia: The Evolution and Dynamics of the Milk Tea Alliance

Keeping Hold of the Jewel: Buddhist Youth Activism and Multidirectional Migration in Mountain Java

Keeping Hold of the Jewel: Buddhist Youth Activism and Multidirectional Migration in Mountain Java

The Role of TVET Colleges in Addressing the Needs of NEET Youth in a South African Province

ABSTRACT This study is justified by the ever-rising poverty, unemployment, and inequality that South African youth experience, particularly not in education or employment and training (NEET) youth. It explored and evaluated the functions of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the National Development Plan (NDP) with a focus on the requirements of NEET youth in a province of South Africa using theories of human capital and empowerment. The methods and mitigating measures that TVET are implementing to address the needs of NEET youths were captured using a phenomenological and explorative research technique to achieve this purpose. Convenience and purposive sampling were used to choose participants for the semi-structured interviews with TVET managers (N = 2) and focus groups for educators (N = 20). Following thematic data analysis, these four themes were identified: (i) Unlocking Youth Potential through TVET, (ii) Relationship between TVET curriculum and economic development, (iii) TVET’s Contribution to National Development and Youth Empowerment, (iv) Constraints faced by the youth in implementing the national development plan. The themes illustrated the government’s obligation to eradicate youth inactivity by providing them with a variety of skills through TVET frameworks. Young people are therefore advised to actively participate in TVET initiatives designed to end poverty and youth unemployment. Additionally, it is recommended that the South African government, TVET colleges, and industry work together to ensure that national development programs, particularly those that focus on the economic empowerment and development of youths, may be accomplished to attain the NDP 2030 target on schedule.

Youth Perceptions of Participation in Organized Sports and Mental Health.

Organized sports are among one of the most widespread activities in youth. The purpose of this study was to assess the associations between youth perceptions of their participation in organized sports and mental health from the perspective of youth and their parents. Participants were 208 children ages 5 to 12 years. Children who endorsed elevated depressive symptoms scored significantly higher on the YES-S Negative Experiences Scale (mean = 19.00) compared to children who did not endorse elevated depressive symptoms (mean = 14.94; P < 0.01; d = 0.63). After controlling for the number of mental health diagnoses, there was a significant positive association between the YES-S Negative Experiences Scale and child self-reported depressive symptoms (standardized beta coefficient = 0.40; P < 0.001). Our findings underscore the importance of creating positive environments for organized youth sports and highlight the value of assessing both child and parent perspectives of child depressive symptoms in the context of organized sports participation.

Envisioning Ecofeminism and Youth Activism in Saving Sorya and Saving H'Non

Abstract Girl activism takes center stage in Trang Nguyễn and Jeet Zdung's comics Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear and Saving H'Non: Chang and the Elephant. The narratives follow Chang, a young conservationist, as she rehabilitates an orphaned sun bear and an abused elephant. The series diverts from conventional depictions of exceptional girl eco-heroes by emphasizing the importance of collaboration, grassroots initiatives, and environmental education. Moreover, the comics promote ecofeminist perspectives by highlighting the connections between environmental degradation, gendered violence, and social inequities. I explore how Nguyễn and Zdung use the multimodal comics form to promote ecofeminist values and educate young readers about global environmental issues. I also analyze how the comics invite readers to engage in transnational advocacy by modeling youth activism and providing resources.

Lasso를 통한 청소년의 학업무기력 주요 예측변수 탐색

This study aimed to explore the predictors of academic helplessness in middle and high school students using data from the 5th year of the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey (KCYPS) 2018. This study applied the Lasso penalized regression among machine learning techniques. The main results are as follows. 24 variables from the middle school data and 19 variables from the high school data were selected as predictors of academic helplessness. Among the selected variables, self-study time, subjective evaluation of overall academic achievement, academic engagement, career adaptability, creative personality, happiness, self-esteem, grit, emotional problems, annual frequency of participation in youth activities, smartphone dependency, school life satisfaction, teacher relationships, and parenting attitudes have been addressed in previous studies, and the direction of the regression coefficients was consistent with previous studies. Sleep time, computer leisure time, future career decision status, desired future educational level, frequency of smartphone use by purpose (academic or work-related), and career preparation activities (career psychological and aptitude tests, career-related special lectures) were newly identified variables in this study. Based on these results, implications and suggestions for follow-up studies were presented.

Multi-Context Strategies and Opportunities for Increasing Levels of Physical Activity in Children and Young People: A Literature Review

Background: In today’s society, low levels of physical activity are observed in the child and adolescent population, which can cause numerous pathologies, such as obesity and mental health problems. Objective: This article aims to compile all the contexts and scenarios where it is possible to increase the levels of daily physical activity of children and young people, and which have significant scientific support. Method. To do so, a literature review was carried out examining four key contexts for intervention: school, extracurricular, family, and socio-community. Results: The results indicate that the school context, with strategies such as physical education classes and active breaks, is crucial but insufficient on its own, so it is essential to complement it with interventions in extracurricular, family, and socio-community environments. The involvement of families, access to adequate infrastructure such as parks and green areas, and the responsible use of technology, including active video games and the role of influencers on social networks, are presented as key elements to combat a sedentary lifestyle. Conclusions: It is important to highlight the importance of establishing socio-educational programs that adopt a comprehensive approach to promote physical activity in children and youth, highlighting the scientific evidence that supports the effectiveness of intervening in multiple scenarios. This review concludes that a coordinated approach between different actors (schools, families, communities) is necessary to ensure that children and youth reach adequate levels of physical activity, which not only improves their physical health, but also their mental well-being and cognitive development.

Active parents, active youth? Exploring the association between physical activity of youth with Cystic Fibrosis and their parents

BackgroundParents play a major role in shaping their children's physical activity (PA) behaviour. This study aimed to investigate the association between PA of youth with Cystic Fibrosis (YwCF) and their parents. MethodsPA was measured by an ActiGraph GT3x-BT for seven consecutive days. Data were processed by GGIR and PA intensities were based on the age-specific Hildebrand equations. Moderate-to-vigorous PA was chosen as primary outcome. Results26 YwCF-parent dyads participated. A significant positive association was found between parental PA behaviour and YwCF's PA behaviour for both moderate-to-vigorous PA and total PA (R2=0.60;p=0.001;R2=0.64;p<0.001). Furthermore, YwCF with less active parents perform 16 min/day less moderate-to-vigorous PA compared to YwCF with more active parents (p=0.004). ConclusionHigher parental PA levels are strongly associated with higher YwCF's PA levels. This association needs to be confirmed in a larger cohort to explore whether parental behaviour is an effective strategy to improve YwCF's PA levels.

The Significance of Intergenerational Collaboration as Young People Engage in Youth Activism in Educational Spaces

Youth Liberation Army (YLA) is a youth-led grassroots organization advocating for school abolition and addressing issues most concerning young people in schools and communities. YLA utilizes adult ally trainings to invite educators to work toward liberatory education. The transformative organizing practices of YLA are examined through a youth activism framework to discuss how young people and adult allies may collaborate to disrupt systemic injustices in schools and communities. Findings from a critical qualitative Project in Humanization are shared to examine the power and purpose of an adult ally training facilitated by YLA in a conventional teacher education program (TEP). Through critical listening and dialogic spiraling, reflections and implications on intergenerational collaboration are provided by a researcher-teacher educator and a participant-youth organizer. The dynamics between YLA, teacher candidates, and a teacher educator highlight the significance and possibilities of intergenerational collaboration when youth organizers are welcomed into TEPs as co-educators.

“To Me, it Kind of Felt Normal” - Defining the Normalcy of Carcerality with Black Men, Boys, and Youth Workers

ABSTRACT Black boys and young men come into consistent contact with the carceral state and its systems of control. In this study, I define the normalcy of carcerality as the everydayness of carceral power and control enacted on the bodies of Black children, specifically Black boys and young men. The racialized, gendered, and socioeconomic schemas of urban landscapes like Los Angeles bring young people into consistent contact with law enforcement and carceral logics rooted in punishment, control, and disposability – which is the way that communities can be punished and discarded if they do not fit within the neoliberal economy. For Black boys, the normalcy of carcerality is rooted in the omnipresence of the schemas of discipline they experience and the material and emotional impact that carcerality plays in their everyday life. Drawing upon interviews from 22 Black male youth activists, 19 interviews with youth workers who engage Black male youth, and 10 years of field notes as a community organizer working with four community-based organizations in Los Angeles, this study focuses on the carceral experiences that Black male youth activists who are working to change their relationships with state institutions through collective organizing and resistance.

EU peace capacities: An analysis of the EU's integration of the youth, peace and security agenda

AbstractThis contribution examines the integration of the youth, peace and security (YPS) agenda within the European Union (EU). This integration has evolved from initial recognition to a stronger implementation phase. Key milestones include the Young Med Voices Plus Initiative and the recent Youth Action Plan for 2022–2027. However, challenges remain. These include inconsistent support and the need for more specific strategies for youth in conflict settings. Recent developments such as the inclusion of the YPS agenda in EU Peace Mediation Guidelines signal progress towards a more systematic integration.

Global–Local Dynamics and Transformative Approaches in Climate Change Reporting in MENA: Insights from Tunisian Journalists

ABSTRACT In Tunisia, like other countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, climate change (CC) is increasingly prompting a re-evaluation of journalism’s traditional gatekeeping role in favour of transformative, community-oriented approaches that promote climate justice, and foster greater awareness and engagement. This study qualitatively explores the perceptions and knowledge of Tunisian journalists (N = 7) covering CC, within a context of governmental uncertainty and dependence on international non-governmental organisations. Thematic analysis revealed three themes. First, the global–local nexus in CC reporting highlights the interconnectedness of global and local perspectives, revealing how transnational and global issues are contextualised within local frameworks. Second, the theme of solutions-oriented journalism in CC reporting emphasises a shift towards transformative storytelling, focusing on solutions rather than merely reporting problems. Finally, the theme of determinants of attention shaping CC reporting explores the various determinants of attention—such as circulation of disinformation, climate justice claims and youth activism—that dictate the reporting choices, approaches and level of attention CC receives in media coverage. The study calls for addressing these challenges and enhancing CC reporting practices. Further research using diverse methods is needed to explore how journalists frame CC across different contexts.

Development and application of the Scripted Animation Survey (SAS) for out-of-school time professional learning

ABSTRACT Despite the wealth of learning youth experience outside formal classrooms, relatively little research has been invested in understanding out-of-school-time (OST) educators’ professional learning (PL). We explore this need in the context of a STEM facilitation PL program (i.e. Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM, or ACRES) through their foundational PL module, Asking Purposeful Questions, by describing the development and use of the scripted animation survey (SAS) using the framework of educator noticing. First, we detail how we developed and validated an analysis approach to the SAS. Through iterative development with feedback from PL providers, we identified a delivery format; response process; and codebook that aligned with the program objectives and paralleled the feedback exchange structure familiar to participating educators. Second, we apply the educator noticing framework to illustrate a possible use of the SAS. In comparing pre- and post-administration of the SAS using the noticing framework, we identified a shift in respondents’ noticing to be more aware of youth activity relative to educator activity. We suggest that the SAS may be a useful tool to diagnose and respond to educator attention within a PL program, particularly when logistical and financial constraints restrict access to longitudinal videos of practice and interviews.

Abstract 4135629: Grades and trends from the 2024 United States Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

Background: Regular physical activity provides numerous health benefits including improved cardiovascular health. Population-level physical activity surveillance is critical for informing research, practice, and policy efforts for supporting population health and health disparities. The United States Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth addresses physical activity surveillance needs by integrating data from numerous sources capturing levels of physical activity and related behaviors (e.g., sedentary behavior, sleep), and facilitators and barriers for physical activity among United States youth. The 2024 Report Card is the 5 th and decennial iteration in the series, released October 2024. Methods: A Report Card Working Group was assembled under the auspices of the Physical Activity Alliance and National Physical Activity Plan. Members reviewed the evidence for 11 indicators using data from nationally representative surveys and assigned grades. Data were examined for the overall population and, when possible, by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and disability subgroups. A standardized grading rubric was used to assign a letter grade to each indicator ranging from A to F. Trends in key benchmarks over time were examined since the first report card (2014) or earliest available data. Results: Sufficient data were available to assign grades for 8 of the 11 indicators. The assigned grades ranged from B- to F, with overall physical activity levels earning a D- (Table 1). No indicators improved since 2014. Five indicators - overall physical activity, organized sport participation, active transportation, sedentary behaviors, and school - worsened since 2014. Conclusions: The compiled surveillance report indicates generally poor grades and concerning trends over the recent decade. These findings highlight opportunities to improve physical activity levels and resources for supporting cardiovascular health among United States youth. Policy approaches are needed to combat societal factors that interfere with physical activity. Gaps in data availability, specificity, and quality point to needs for improved surveillance to track impacts. The 2024 Report Card can be a tool for supporting advocacy of regular physical activity at the national and local level.

Drivers of Change: Youth Action in Lempangang Village, Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi in the Service of Pancasila Village

The purpose of this article is a form of dedication to the Pancasila village in Boto Lempangang to strengthen the sense of unity among the community but also to make a real contribution to improving the quality of life of the village residents. Activities such as social service, education, skills training, and environmental initiatives are a means of implementing Pancasila values in everyday life. Their work has become an inspiration for other villages to work together to maintain and develop the values that are the identity of the Indonesian nation. This research uses qualitative research using a case study design. Data collection techniques include interviews, observations, and documentation. Data analysis techniques include data reduction, presentation, conclusion drawing, and verification stages. The research results show that the initiative carried out by the youth of Lempangang Village in the Kampung Pancasila program has had a significant positive impact on the local community. Through various programs such as agricultural counseling, national education and healthy living, developing MSMEs, and increasing food security, village youth have succeeded in strengthening local capacity and creating sustainable change. These programs not only improve economic welfare and public health but also strengthen national values and social solidarity.

Paediatric cancer survivors: lean mass attenuates negative impact of watching television on bone.

To investigate the associations of television (TV) watching time with bone parameters and to examine whether high lean mass attenuates the negative impact of watching TV more than one hour per day on bone parameters. This cross-sectional study comprised 116 young paediatric cancer survivors. Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry was used to obtain total body and regional areal bone mineral density (g/cm2), and lean mass (kg) outcomes. Hip Structural Analysis was performed at the narrowest point of the femoral neck. Trabecular Bone Score was obtained in the lumbar spine. TV watching time was obtained using the "Youth Activity Profile" questionnaire. Multiple linear regression models showed negative associations of watching TV more than one hour with bone parameters in peri/post pubertal survivors (β = -0.359 to -0.614, P < 0.001 to 0.047). Those survivors watching TV more than one hour per day and with high lean mass presented higher bone parameter Z-score than those with low lean mass. These findings underline the necessity of identifying strategies that promote musculoskeletal development while reducing TV watching time in young paediatric cancer survivors to maximise bone regeneration. The results indicate that watching television (TV) more than one hour (compared to not watching TV) is negatively associated with bone parameters in peri/post pubertal survivors. Survivors with high lean mass counteract these negative associations of watching TV with bone parameters. It is important to promote musculoskeletal development in this vulnerable population to maximise bone regeneration.

From “snowflake generation” to “agents of social change”: Recognizing the voice of Spanish young people in the post-pandemic era

This article uses 60 in-depth interviews with young Spanish people and contributes to studies on youth geographies of future in post-pandemic. The paper gives young people a voice by analysing two interlinked concepts: (l) the “snowflake generation” – “generación de cristal” – which was popularized in Spain as a fragile and insecure generation and consequently exhibiting a lack of tolerance and frustration in the face of unachieved goals; and (2) “agents of change”, included on broader perspectives of youth activism, meaning a generation motivated by the desire to construct a regenerated post-pandemic society. My hypothesis is that the fragility of the younger generation after the pandemic has transformed over time into an aspiration and motivation to become agents of social change. The findings highlight that young people are using their technological knowledge and resilience to overcome fragility, participating and demanding recognition of their criticisms and perceptions of injustice. The conclusions offer a better understanding of young people and their capacity to be responsible and innovative, converting weakness into strength. They show the need to advance theoretical and empirical understanding of younger perspectives in relation to how they want to change and make a greater contribution to future society.

School Connectedness as a Protective Factor for School-Based Outcomes of Youth with a History of Parental Incarceration

Parental incarceration affects millions of children and youth in the United States. Youth who have experienced parental incarceration are more likely to experience worse behavioral, academic, and health outcomes in comparison to their peers. However, less is known about factors that reduce the risk of poor outcomes for youth with a history of parental incarceration. This study used multivariable logistic regression analyses within a statewide sample of 119,029 students to examine school-based outcomes among youth with histories of parental incarceration as well as the potential protective effect of school connectedness for these outcomes. Results indicated that parental incarceration was associated with lower levels of academic achievement and more instances of disciplinary action. School connectedness moderated these associations; for students with an incarcerated parent, higher levels of connectedness to one’s school increased the likelihood for academic achievement and reduced the risk for instances of disciplinary action. This study adds to the growing body of literature on students with incarcerated parents to include an examination of the potential protective factors that operate in these youths’ lives. Results have important implications for school psychologists, including attending to and bolstering strategies and programs that increase school connectedness. Impact Statement Although previous research has documented the protective effects of school connectedness for school-based outcomes in the general population of K-12 students, less is known about its link to outcomes for youth with histories of parental incarceration. Results indicated school connectedness was significantly associated with an increase in the likelihood of academic achievement and a reduction in the risk of disciplinary action for youth with histories of parental incarceration, suggesting the importance of connection to one’s school for these youth.