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You would be hard-pressed to find an educator who would argue against the importance of voting. While voting is a key component of maintaining a thriving democracy and has not always been guaranteed for all citizens in the United States, many people, especially young people not old enough to vote, often find themselves looking for other ways to express their voice and participate in our democracy. So, what else can you do beyond just voting?
For most of us, civic education is largely composed of learning the ins-and-outs of how government works, how bills get passed and the importance of participation in formal democratic processes. Indeed, much of public education is toward preparing young people for citizenship in a democratic society. However, this experience is generally relegated to the classroom until we are old enough to vote. Even then, voter turnout amongst young voters (voters under age 30) continues to be lower than that of other age groups.
Civic life requires active engagement beyond just participation in formal democratic processes and stretches beyond traditional definitions of citizenship. While there are certain moments in tackling issues that call for volunteerism (such as a food or blood drive), charity (such as donating to a cause), and more traditional democratic actions (such as attending a school board meeting or writing letters to elected representatives), there are other meaningful ways to engage in civic life.
Actions that promote sustainable change have the potential to address the “root causes” of issues. This can entail opposition and resistance, e.g., marches, demonstrations, petitions, boycotts, etc., but can also encompass actions such as the creation of non-profit organizations that are motivated to change society. These types of actions, however, require:
- knowledge, understanding and critical assessment of social structures and systems;
- skills related to diverse roles and strategies, and;
- an engagement with reflexivity, not only around beliefs and judgements, but also the process of action-taking and efficacy.
This type of civic engagement is harder, requiring more work than just simply casting a ballot or donating $10. But it’s meaningful and empowering, and it situates everyone in a position to make change now. Voting is still exceptionally important and is not always guaranteed. Your vote matters and is a key component of civic life. However, engagement in all aspects of civic life is needed to make sustainable change in our society.
Ian M. McGregor, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of secondary education in the College of Education & Human Development. His scholarship focuses on social studies teacher preparation, human rights education and civics/citizenship education with an emphasis on teaching difficult history and controversial topics. His current research focuses on how teachers and students conceptualize citizenship education and civic engagement.
