Gender-related aspects of political identity formation in adolescence : Theories, concepts, findings
- For decades, gender differences in political orientations were consistently found in empirical studies, particularly in youth studies. Thus, compared with male adolescents, female adolescents often come off badly in regard to pivotal political orientations like political interest and subjective political competence. Conversely, female adolescents demonstrate even more interest and involvement than males when less conventional issues and modes of political participation are concerned. How could this be explained? First of all, the article classifies the field of political orientations into five large areas and gives a detailed overview of the findings of empirical research. Subsequently, different approaches of gender differences in political orientations are presented: biology, situation, structure, socialization, personality development, and feminist political science. Finally, a stronger integrative perspective of the different approaches is argued, and a more comprehensive view on gender differences in political orientations isFor decades, gender differences in political orientations were consistently found in empirical studies, particularly in youth studies. Thus, compared with male adolescents, female adolescents often come off badly in regard to pivotal political orientations like political interest and subjective political competence. Conversely, female adolescents demonstrate even more interest and involvement than males when less conventional issues and modes of political participation are concerned. How could this be explained? First of all, the article classifies the field of political orientations into five large areas and gives a detailed overview of the findings of empirical research. Subsequently, different approaches of gender differences in political orientations are presented: biology, situation, structure, socialization, personality development, and feminist political science. Finally, a stronger integrative perspective of the different approaches is argued, and a more comprehensive view on gender differences in political orientations is suggested…
