청소년 정치참여 활성화 방안 탐색을 위한 질적 연구 : 청소년 정치참여 경험을 중심으로

Abstract

Since the amendment of the Public Official Election Act in 2019, the rights of youth to participate in politics have grown remarkably over the past few years. It is encouraging that more young people can now participate in public decision-making and assert their rights in our society. However, efforts to enhance the political basic rights of youth must continue. Only when our society recognizes the civic status of youth and ensures an environment where they can engage without discrimination in decision-making and execution processes at all levels of communities will the universal political basic rights that youth deserve as democratic citizens be guaranteed. Based on this understanding, this study qualitatively explored the political participation experiences of a group of young people who are currently or have previously been involved in political participation activities inside and outside of school through focus group interviews. The study derived implications for promoting youth political participation. Firstly, despite numerous supports, such as legal and institutional improvements, increased opportunities for political participation-related learning, and expanded pathways for political participation, the social perception of youth political participation remains largely negative. Beyond institutional declarations, there is a need for a positive cultural foundation based on social consensus regarding youth political participation. Secondly, systematic and substantial implementation of formal, non-formal, and informal learning inside and outside of school is essential for promoting youth political participation. Political education lacking direction, expertise, and consistency may lead to decreased interest and willingness among youth to participate in politics, resulting in adverse effects. Lastly, in addition to raising awareness and interest in various youth participation organizations operating inside and outside of school, social mechanisms that recognize the processes and outcomes of youth political participation activities as the capabilities of the youth themselves are necessary.