Excluded or Unmotivated? Examining Structural and Social Barriers to Youth Civic Engagement

Abstract

Amid increasing concern about youth disengagement from civic and political life, this study explores how young people in the Netherlands interpret and experience civic engagement, and understand their own contribution. Moving beyond traditional metrics such as voting or activism, the research highlights how youth often frame engagement in terms of social responsibility, emotional awareness, and contributions through work or care for others. Civic life, in this sense, is not always public or overtly political, it is frequently relational, personal, and rooted in daily interactions. Guided by the Capability Approach and the Social Capital Theory, this study draws on ten semi-structured interviews with Dutch youth aged 18–25. The findings reveal that while many young people express a desire to contribute meaningfully to society, their ability to do so is shaped by both structural barriers and social factors. In particular, the presence or absence of civic discourse within their immediate networks played a central role: strong social capital often enabled participation, while its absence created a sense of detachment or futility. These dynamics were especially pronounced in discussions of protest, where several participants voiced frustration and doubt about the efficacy of collective action. The current Israel–Gaza conflict frequently surfaced in interviews, shaping participants’ reflections on civic impact and illustrating how global events influence personal engagement in complex, sometimes polarizing ways.