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American Politics Research, Vol. 34, No. 5, 605-626 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/1532673X06289158

On the Margins of Democratic Life

The Impact of Race and Ethnicity on the Political Engagement of Young People

Kim L. Fridkin

Patrick J. Kenney

Jack Crittenden

Arizona State University, Tempe

The authors surveyed Anglo, African American, Latino, and Native American eighth-grade students in six middle schools from one U.S. county in 2003 and 2004. The goal of the project was to compare the attitudes of young people about politics and government at an early age to determine whether differences existed before high school. The authors found that minority and Anglo children differ dramatically in their skills and information levels about politics and government. Anglo adolescents are more likely to have rudimentary information about politics and government, practice democratic skills in school and at home, and hold positive attitudes toward politics and government. Among minority students, Native Americans have the least information, fewest opportunities to practice democratic skills, and most negative attitudes toward the political system. The authors also found that children's political experiences, captured by their ethnicity and race, affect their levels of political information and attitudes about government, after controlling for students' family and school resources.

Key Words: political engagement • adolescence • political knowledge • participation • race and ethnic politics • political socialization


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