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Extract 1
Introduction (abridged)
My P.I.P. is a cross-generational comparison of modern and 1960s/70s student activism, investigating the continuity and change of socialisation agents, education systems, and generational worldviews across time. This topic arose when my Dad mentioned that he thought students weren’t passionate anymore and I disagreed after attending a youth climate change conference, which led me to consider the discrepancy between our two generational opinions of activism.
My P.I.P. is about the changing micro and macro agents that influence undergraduate students’ socio-political identities, as well as the societal and educational factors that affect a student’s motivation and capacity to engage in activism. It also looks at socio-political apathy and how it affects the nature and extent of activism. From these inquiries, I was able to compare student activism in my parents’ generation and in my own, and determine how and why activism has changed over time.
This project will assist my understanding of Society and Culture through investigating continuity and change, cross-cultural generational differences and the differing socialisation processes that students go through, and how these influence identity, decision-making and values. The study of activism facilitates understanding of conflict and cooperation with authority and peers, rights and responsibilities, and the interactions between persons, society, culture and environment across time...
I expected to find that because modernisation and globalisation have increased materialistic individualism, activism would have decreased from the 1960s, but instead found that despite formational changes, actual levels have remained constant. My P.I.P. started what I believe will be a continuing enterprise of social research, helping me to understand my society and what it means to be a member of my generation...
The questionnaire was based on extensive secondary research which continued throughout the project and provided theoretical substantiation of my conclusions. My findings were also corroborated with the results of a semi-structured interview between myself and Marilyn Luchetti, an anti-war activist from my parents’ generation, and her daughter Maria White, a current environmental student activist. This provided detailed qualitative data for cross-generational comparison on the micro scale and a better understanding of my cross-cultural component.
I expected to find that because modernisation and globalisation have increased materialistic individualism, activism would have decreased from the 1960s, but instead found that despite formational changes, actual levels have remained constant. My P.I.P. started what I believe will be a continuing enterprise of social research, helping me to understand my society and what it means to be a member of my generation
Extract 2: Central Material extract
My investigation has shown that it is wrong to conclude that today’s students are wholly apathetic. Although it is difficult to quantifiably measure a generation’s level of activism, my research has led me to conclude that over last four decades, activism has not declined significantly, but has simply changed in both form and results...
High levels of student participation in demonstrations against globalisation, the Iraq War and VSU are proof that students still play an important role in activism. But today, it seems that rallies are no longer the only indicators of activism, especially amongst tech-savvy, globally minded students. This decrease in street marches indicates changing needs and methods, not apathy - modern activists are using new technologies, group structures and “innovative campaigning” to take a more effective stance on many different social, environmental, economic and educational issues... Both my personal experience and secondary research suggests that student movements today are more collective and democratic than before, despite being less spontaneous.
My study has shown that despite negativity from conservatives and idealistic baby-boomers, student activism is not dead, and apathy has not significantly increased over the last four decades. However, societal and educational changes have impacted upon modern students’ abilities and willingness to participate in activism, leading to changes in campaign strategy, style and appearance. Wider society’s consensus that activism has declined is based on a decrease in observable activism (such as rallies), but primary investigation reveals that largely, students are as inclined to take action as in the past. Although my survey results indicated that many students are pessimistic about activism, citing despondency, demographic changes, time restraints, the cost of living and individualism as negative influences, some students remain optimistic, noting new factors such as the internet and extensive media accessibility as mediums for the growth and continuation of student activism. The existence of this core of modern activists, and the positive results from my survey of high school students, suggest that student activism will continue to evolve into the future, influencing many governments, educational institutions and students to come. |
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