Political socialization and the youth vote : a study of political engagement during the 2008 election

I began my research on political socialization struck about the political apathy I was observing among my friends. Through studying those very same peers here at the University of Richmond in both a survey and interviews, I am even more determined to find ways to encourage high levels of knowledgeable engagement and volunteerism among college aged students. The United States will have to continue to compete in a global market in the future and citizens of other democracies understand and care enough to vote about the changes in that government-what is the problem here? The results of the survey and interviews indicate that parental involvement, particularly through the mother, throughout the child\u27s life and in volunteering to set an example for the child is more common among high engagement individuals than any of the other groups. Furthermore, increased active use of media in the classroom creates memorable experiences that encourage individuals to continue their interest and involvement in politics throughout the rest of their lives