OCR Text |
Show COLLEGE OF SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Maricela Hernandez Dolores Delgado Bernal 86 YOUTH VOICE IN LEGISLATIVE INTERNSHIP-ENGAGEMENT Maricela Hernandez (Dolores Delgado Bernal) Department(s) of Psychology and Ethnic Studies University of Utah Five Years ago, there were multiple bills introduced during the Utah legislative session that had major effects on education and immigration in Utah.These bills (H.B.70 and HB 363) included limiting scholarship access for undocumented students and trying to overturn affirmative action within the state. Considering the amount of legislation affecting youth of color in Utah (2008-2012), it is evident that they should have a strong voice in the legislative process. For instance, legislative bill H B 363 which aimed to make sex education optional in Utah, affects youth's lives and education, yet their voices were unheard. I am interested in how the Mestizo Arts and Activism legislative internship can create a pathway for youth to access the Capitol and the legislative process. M y research examines h o w this program increases access to more communities and high schools primarily in the west side of Salt Lake City. I will examine how secondary and post-secondary institutions of education can increase access to the legislative internship for high school students, as well as, what the impact, purpose, and influence of these youth is at the legislative level. My qualitative research design applies case study methods to analyze in depth the institutional structures that support/not support the civic engagement of youth. I do this with: Case studies of related youth organizations and h o w they are structured. Document analysis of the structures of other youth organizations that do legislative advocacy. An analysis of legislative bills that affect youth and h o w youth have influenced that legislation. My conclusions identify ways for more high schools in the Salt Lake City District to implement broader opportunities for youth to voice their opinion in politics and discover n e w ways of becoming active citizens. Lastly, this study informs representatives and senators the importance of youth's contribution to the state's governmental practices. |