Roots of Civic Identity : International Perspectives on Community Service and Activism in Youth

This book brings together an international collection of essays that describes the state of community participation among the world's youth. Authors from around the globe use fresh empirical data to present portraits of contemporary youths constructing their civic identities through such means as community service and political activism. The image of "Generation X" as socially disconnected and apathetic is contradicted by young people's efforts to comprehend the complexities of society and to work toward the realization of social-moral ideals. The findings in this volume contribute to a theory of political socialization that bases youth's understanding of political aspects of society and citizenship on participation in community and civic activities, rather than on the intake of abstract pieces of formal information. To this end, youth seek to resolve ideological tensions, such as in Northern Ireland and the Middle East; to overcome corrupting political practices, such as in Italy and Taiwan; to deal with disillusionment, such as in the emerging Eastern European nations; and to bridge barriers against youth's meaningful participation in the working of society, such as in Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Contents:

• Introduction: International Perspectives on the Roots of Civic Identity by James Youniss and Miranda Yates
• Community Service and Political-Moral Discussions Among Adolescents: A Study of a Mandatory School-Based Program in the United States by Miranda Yates
• Social and Family Determinants of Community Service Involvement in Canadian Youth by S. Mark Pancer and Michael W. Pratt
• Exploring Adolescent Altruism: British Young People's Involvement in Voluntary Work and Campaigning by Debi Roker, Katie Player, and John Coleman
• Youth, Solidarity, and Civic Commitment in Italy: An Analysis of the Personal and Social Characteristics of Volunteers and Their Organizations by Elena Marta, Giovanna Rossi, and Lucia Boccacin
• Political Socialization in the New States of Germany by Hans Oswald
• Community Service and Social Cognitive Development in German Adolescents by Manfred Hofer
• Adolescents and the "Social Contract": Developmental Roots of Citizenship in Seven Countries by Connie Flanagan, Britta Jonsson, Luba Botcheva, Beno Csapo, Jennifer Bowes, Peter Macek, Irina Averina, and Elena Sheblanova
• Political Socialization in a Divided Society: The Case of Northern Ireland by Jean Whyte
• Youth Experience in the Palestinian Intifada: A Case Study in Intensity, Complexity, Paradox, and Competence by Brian K. Barber
• Beyond the Call of Duty: The Service of Israeli Youth In Military and Civic Contexts by Rachel Seginer
• Recent Trends in Civic Engagement Among Japanese Youth by Keiko Takahashi and Giyoo Hatano
• Learning Politics in the Crucible: The Socialization of Taiwan High School Students as Citizens in a New Democracy by Perri Strawn
• Conclusion: Transcending Themes by Miranda Yates and James Youniss