Does Citizenship Education Make Young People Better‐Engaged Citizens?
Getting young people more knowledgeable and engaged about where they live is very important for the future of that country. Evidence strongly suggests that effective citizenship education makes young people significantly more informed and confident citizens, allowing them to further their growth. Not only does it allow them to become more familiar with their surroundings, but it’s also crucial for providing them with appropriate political and literacy knowledge.
In this guide, we will look into whether citizenship education makes young people better-engaged citizens. Continue reading to find out more.
How It Impacts Young People
Increased Political Knowledge
Students who participate in classroom discussions on political and social issues demonstrate a clearer understanding of how democratic institutions work. This can help them make better informed political decisions, so they can vote accordingly in the future. This can benefit the future of the area that they live in, providing them with a better living environment.
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Higher Participation
Studies, such as research on 16 to 19-year-olds by researchers at Nottingham Trent University and Royal Holloway, show that young people educated about democracy are more likely to vote. This happens through engaged political discussions and participation in community life, so they can have more influence on their local communities.
Stronger Sense of Agency
Students taught about their rights and responsibilities develop a greater belief in their ability to influence their communities and the political sphere. Those that are in the dark and not taught about citizenship won’t have the know-how to have the same impact.
Importance of Quality Delivery
While the benefits are clear, the effectiveness of the education system depends heavily on its delivery. Academic studies can emphasize that the subject needs to be taught consistently and critically to fight against any disparities in political engagement. When delivered well, civic education helps offset socioeconomic inequalities in voting likelihood. This can empower all students rather than just those whose families are already politically active, so there can be a better balance of people who have the knowledge for appropriate voting.
How to Educate Young People About Citizenship
Open Discussions
Encouraging young people to engage in discussions about citizenship will help them to broaden their knowledge, all while improving their confidence. You need to create an environment that feels safe for them to speak freely, as this will get honest opinions from them and make them share more diverse perspectives.
Discuss topics like active political debates, climate change or local community issues to show that citizenship is live and relevant. Getting people to start talking about this from a young age can help them to develop their knowledge for the future.
Active Citizenship Projects
Some young people can only learn through practical lessons. To help with this, you can ask them to identify a specific problem in their school or community, so you can get more honest opinions from them that they actually care about. This will encourage them to do their own research about the issue, which can lead to them completing their own work to improve their knowledge.
Getting them to connect community volunteering to broader political structures can also be effective. For example, they can volunteer at a food bank and discuss the systemic reasons why food banks exist.
Simulation Games
First-hand experience is very important for boosting the citizenship knowledge of young people. Simulations can help with this, as it can give them experience in mock elections, jury simulations and more. They can run through a full election that replicates the real world, or you can get them to complete manifestos, campaigns and voting booths.
Setting up a mock courtroom to teach the justice system can also be very effective. This can improve their knowledge regarding legal rights and the concept of rule of law.
Connect with Real-World Institutions
You can bring young people into direct contact with democratic systems to give them more experience that can help them in their future life. Invite guest speakers into your educational space to talk to students who are most willing to learn. You can take this a step further by bringing in local councillors, MPs, charity leaders or community activists for Q&A sessions.
Encourage them to participate in school councils too, so they can get early involvement in political discussions. This can encourage them to become part of the council as the get older, opening the door for a fruitful career.
Final Thoughts
Improving young people’s knowledge about citizenship and the relevant laws of their country is very important for the future. It can improve their decision-making and increase voter turnout as they grow old enough. Citizenship education empowers young people to influence their local communities and advocate for systemic change, giving them a much more positive outlook for their adult life. It’s also important to teach them about specific visas and immigration law, such as indefinite leave to remain and other legalities.