EXPRESSION OF YOUTH CITIZENSHIP AND FACTORS PROMOTING IT

Abstract

Youth voices and perspectives are a critical component of contributing to positive social change. But there is a clear ‘youth participatory deficit’. Therefore, article aims to identify the expression of citizenship of young people and factors promoting it. Qualitative methods (analysis of scientific literature, group discussion, content analysis) were employed in the research. Group discussion participants – 48 young people living, studying or working in Klaipeda’s city. Literature review revealed variety of citizenship expression forms such as loyalty, patriotism, social responsibility, accomplishing of responsibilities and duties. Group discussion participants statements about their expression of citizenship mostly concerned with belonging to the nation or country and traditional volunteering. Scientists indicate different factors promoting citizenship engagement like education, identifying motivation and interest and so on.  Group discussion participants statements analysis reveals some specific factors which would encourage bigger participation of youth in different activities: more and very specific information on different events and possibilities to participate in citizenship activities, suitable time, free of charge participation, activities and information about them must be very interesting or shocking.