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American Behavioral Scientist, Vol. 50, No. 9, 1214-1230 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0002764207300048
© 2007 SAGE Publications

The Red and Blue of Adolescence

Origins of the Compliant Voter and the Defiant Activist

Michael McDevitt

University of Colorado, Boulder

Spiro Kiousis

University of Florida

An emergent culture of youth activism suggests the need to examine a fundamental question about political learning. Does formal education function primarily to engender compliance or does instruction foster differentiation, and perhaps defiance, in political identity construction? We draw on data from a 3-year panel study of high school students. Results support a theoretical model in which schools prompt discussion in families and peer groups. The flow of interpersonal influence in the two spheres share common steps but can be thought of as parallel staircases to divergent orientations, with families promoting compliant voting and peer groups fostering activism.

Key Words: political socialization • political communication • civic education • political identity • voting • political discussion


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