A cross-national study of school students' perceptions of political messages in two election campaigns. (2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rivers, Ian; Carragher, Daniel J.; Couzens, Jimmy; Hechler, Rachel C.; Fini, Gia B.
• Is Part Of: International journal of educational research. Volume 92(2018)
• Page Start: 10
• Page End: 19
• Publication Date: 2018
• Subjects: Elections -- Schools -- Students -- Politics -- Messages -- Teachers -- England -- US; Education -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; Curriculum evaluation -- Periodicals; Education -- Periodicals; Program Evaluation -- Periodicals; Éducation -- Évaluation -- Périodiques; Programmes d'études -- Evaluation -- Périodiques; Éducation -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Curriculum evaluation; Education -- Evaluation; Periodicals; 370.72
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijer.2018.06.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-0355

Abstract

Highlights: School students are increasingly exposed to political messages during election campaigns. The trustworthiness of politicians, equality and immigration are key issues raised by students. Primary/elementary students adopt clear political positions about issues such as equality and immigration. Teachers need to address rhetoric that alienates or stigmatise minorities. Abstract: The aim of this study is to understand, qualitatively, the ways in which school students from England and the US engaged with campaign messages during two national elections. We combined data from eight focus groups conducted in four schools in England (2 primary/elementary and 2 secondary/high; N = 60) and individual interviews conducted in one school in the US (N = 19). Three common themes were identified from our cross-national data: the trustworthiness of candidates, equality, and the narrative surrounding immigration. We argue that it is important for students to have spaces to understand, explore and debate political messages and for teachers to feel confident and able to engage with those campaign messages especially where they may be controversial, partisan or challenging.