Coming of Age in a Time of Contested Citizenship: Critical Perspectives on Youth

Growing Up Latinx: Coming of Age in a Time of Contested Citizenship (Critical Perspectives on Youth)

by Jesica Siham Fernández

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3636 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	239 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE

In a world where citizenship is increasingly contested, young people are coming of age in a time of uncertainty and flux. Their citizenship is often questioned, challenged, and even denied. This can have a profound impact on their sense of belonging, identity, and agency.

This essay explores the coming of age of youth in a time of contested citizenship. It examines the ways in which youth navigate the challenges of growing up in a world where their citizenship is constantly being questioned and contested. Drawing on critical perspectives on youth, the essay argues that youth are not simply passive recipients of citizenship but rather active agents who shape and reshape the meaning of citizenship in their own lives.

Youth and Citizenship

Citizenship is a complex and multifaceted concept. It can be defined as a legal status that grants certain rights and privileges to individuals. It can also be seen as a social and political identity that connects individuals to a particular community or nation.

For youth, citizenship is often a contested concept. Their citizenship may be questioned or denied based on their age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, or other factors. This can have a profound impact on their sense of belonging and identity.

Critical Perspectives on Youth

Critical perspectives on youth challenge the traditional view of youth as passive and apolitical beings. These perspectives argue that youth are active agents who are capable of shaping and reshaping their own lives and the world around them.

Critical perspectives on youth also emphasize the importance of intersectionality. This approach recognizes that youth experiences are shaped by multiple factors, such as race, class, gender, and sexuality. These factors can interact to create unique and complex challenges for youth.

Youth and Contested Citizenship

In a time of contested citizenship, youth are facing a number of challenges. These challenges include:

• Denial of citizenship: Youth may be denied citizenship based on their age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, or other factors.
• Conditional citizenship: Youth may be granted citizenship on the condition that they meet certain requirements, such as completing a certain amount of education or passing a citizenship test.
• Limited citizenship: Youth may be granted citizenship that is limited in some way, such as being denied the right to vote or hold public office.
• Contested citizenship: Youth may have their citizenship questioned or challenged by others.

These challenges can have a profound impact on youth. They can lead to feelings of insecurity, alienation, and disenfranchisement. They can also make it difficult for youth to access education, employment, and other opportunities.

Youth Resistance

Despite the challenges they face, youth are also actively resisting the contested citizenship that they are experiencing. They are ng this in a number of ways, including:

• Challenging citizenship norms: Youth are challenging traditional notions of citizenship by creating new and inclusive definitions of citizenship.
• Mobilizing for change: Youth are mobilizing for change by organizing protests, marches, and other forms of activism.
• Creating their own spaces: Youth are creating their own spaces, such as youth clubs and community centers, where they can feel safe and supported.

These forms of resistance are helping youth to redefine the meaning of citizenship and to create a more just and equitable world.

The coming of age of youth in a time of contested citizenship is a complex and challenging process. Youth are facing a number of challenges, including denial of citizenship, conditional citizenship, limited citizenship, and contested citizenship. These challenges can have a profound impact on their sense of belonging, identity, and agency.

However, youth are also actively resisting the contested citizenship that they are experiencing. They are challenging citizenship norms, mobilizing for change, and creating their own spaces. These forms of resistance are helping youth to redefine the meaning of citizenship and to create a more just and equitable world.

Growing Up Latinx: Coming of Age in a Time of Contested Citizenship (Critical Perspectives on Youth)

by Jesica Siham Fernández

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3636 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	239 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE