Gender Differences in the Socialization of Israeli Adolescents to Political Activism

Over the last decade there has been renewed interest in the study of civic engagement of youth and adolescents, as well as that of adults (Flanagan/Faison 2001; Flanagan/Gallay 1995; Yates/Youniss 1999; Youniss et al. 2002; Verba/Schlozman/Brady 1995). Civic engagement, of which political protest is one form, entails interest in social or political issues and willingness to make an effort for the purpose of social or political change (e.g., Flanagan/Faison 2001; Flanagan/Gallay 1995; Yates/Youniss 1999; Youniss et al. 2002). Caring about social issues denotes a value base for behavior. The specific behavioral realization of such values can take different forms. Caring persons may choose to help others by volunteering and similar pro-social helping behaviors (Avrahami/Dar 1993; Carlo et al. 1996; Clary/Miller 1986; Flanagan et al. 1998, 1999). Others may choose to engage in political action, trying to bring about change by legal means such as writing letters to politicians and newspaper editors (Verba/Schlozman/Brady 1995), or through legal protest activities such as authorized demonstrations (Opp 1990; Useem 1998). Some choose to force social change through aggressive political protest (Muller 1979). Political activism is understood here as activities and attitudes emanating from caring about social or political issues combined with readiness for a certain level of sacrifice, by which an individual trades-off time, effort, or even personal safety to achieve a political goal or political change.