Political Voices of Generation Z

<p>This book explores political expression of members of Generation Z old enough to vote in 2018 and 2020 on issues and movements including MeToo, Supreme Court nominations, March for Our Lives, immigration and family separation, and Black Lives Matter. Since generational dividing lines blur, we study 18 to 25-year-olds, capturing the oldest members of Generation Z along with the youngest Millennials. They share similarities both in their place in the life cycle and experiences of potentially defining events. Through examining some movements led by young adults and others led by older generations, as well as issues with varying salience, core theories are tested in multiple contexts, showing that when young adults protest or post about movements they align with, they become mobilized to participate in other ways, too, including contacting elected officials, which heightens the likelihood of their voices being heard in the halls of power.Perfect for students and courses in a variety of departments at all levels, the book is also aimed at readers curious about contemporary events and emerging political actors.</p> <p>List of Figures and Tables</p><p>Acknowledgments</p><p>Chapter 1: Introduction: Why Young Adult Political Expression Deserves a Fresh Look</p><p>Part I: <i>Posting, Protesting, and Civic Engagement: Causes and Movements that Mobilized </i></p><p>Chapter 2: The MeToo Movement: How an Online Social Movement Sparked Civic Engagement</p><p>Chapter 3: Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett: How Controversial Supreme Court</p><p>Nominations Provided Opportunities to Get Involved</p><p>Chapter 4: School Shootings: How Gun Violence Encouraged Civic Involvement</p><p>Chapter 5: Immigration and Family Separation: When Political Expression Fails to Expand Participation </p><p>Chapter 6: Black Lives Matter: How a Surging Movement Engaged Young People in 2020</p><p>Part II: <i>Moving From the Outside In: The Link Between Posting and Protesting and Contacting Elected Officials</i></p><p>Chapter 7: Messages Received? Examining the Link between Young Adults Posting Political Views</p><p>Online and Sharing Views with Elected Officials</p><p>Chapter 8: Discontent Heard? Examining the Link between Young Adults Engaging in Protests and Sharing Views with Elected Officials</p><p>Chapter 9: Conclusion: Assessing Young Adult Political Power</p>