ERIC Number: EJ1320626
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Jan
Pages: 30
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0895-9048
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Bind of Unilateral Power Dynamics and Youth Voice in School Politics
DomÃnguez, Ashley D.; Clement, Valencia; Bertrand, Melanie
Educational Policy, v36 n1 p169-198 Jan 2022
Research has shown the value of including youth, especially minoritized students, in school- and district-level educational decision-making. However, power dynamics, as related to adultism, along with other inequities, are barriers to youth's political influence. We elucidate these barriers by exploring the possible relationship between adult-adult power dynamics, on one hand, and levels of student voice in schools, on the other. Interviews with teachers and administrators about youth voice initiatives indicated that bounded rationality illuminates how limiting access to knowledge, a form of power, can impact educator decision-making. In addition, bounded rationality bolsters unilateral power structures and therefore curtails youth voice. However, we also found that building relational power between teachers and students and maneuvering beyond bounded rationality increases opportunities for youth voice.
Descriptors: Power Structure, Politics of Education, Student Empowerment, Teacher Attitudes, Administrator Attitudes, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers, Elementary Schools, Student Participation, Teacher Administrator Relationship, Teacher Student Relationship
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education; High Schools; Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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