Pubescent Pioneers
Pushing for Positions of Power.
In recent years, there has been a surge in teenage activism, with young people playing a prominent role in movements such as Black Lives Matter, the Sunrise Movement, and the March for Our Lives. These young activists have used a variety of tactics, including protests, social media campaigns, and lobbying, to raise awareness and advocate for change.
Aside from Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai, famous individuals advocating for change within their own countries, many movements have become primarily comprised of teens.
The Parkland students were a group of high school students who became involved in activism after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in February 2018. The shooting, which resulted in the deaths of 17 students and staff members, prompted the students to speak out about gun violence and advocate for stricter gun control laws.
The Parkland students, who became known as the #NeverAgain movement, used social media and other platforms to raise awareness about gun violence and mobilize support for reform. They organized the March for Our Lives, a nationwide protest against gun violence, and have continued to advocate for gun control measures such as universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons.
Teen Activists, however, lack the necessary pieces that have traditionally made movements work, and are extremely polarizing. They view older voters as out of touch, often antagonizing them which may end up hurting the movement.
UPI Staff