Criminal Justice Faculty Publications and Presentations
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-2025
Abstract
Youth are often perceived as disengaged from civic and political processes, yet their potential to influence elections is receiving increasing attention. This study examined how differences in race, ethnicity, sex, and age shape youth civic engagement, particularly their willingness to vote in the 2024 presidential election. Through surveys of college students in the diverse southern region of the United States, the research explored the relationship between perceptions of law enforcement, trust in the justice system, and civic participation. Specifically, it hypothesized that Black and Hispanic youth would report lower trust in law enforcement, which may influence their willingness to engage in civic activities, including voting. Findings revealed significant disparities in awareness, trust, and willingness to engage with civic systems, likely influenced by historical events—most notably, the police murder of George Floyd in 2020, which had widespread social and political ramifications. The results confirm that racial and ethnic identities significantly shape civic attitudes, with Black and Hispanic youth expressing greater skepticism toward law enforcement and lower institutional trust, potentially affecting their voting behavior. Moreover, differences related to age and sex emerge, with female and older students demonstrating slightly higher levels of civic engagement. These insights provide a deeper understanding of barriers to participation and inform strategies to promote civic involvement among underrepresented groups. Additionally, the study acknowledges the limitations of survey-based research, including self-reporting biases. Nonetheless, it emphasizes targeted interventions (e.g., civic education programs) to enhance civic involvement among minority youth, particularly those nearing voting eligibility. The paper concludes by offering recommendations for educators, policymakers, and community leaders to promote civic engagement in the United States.
Recommended Citation
Dawkins-Cavazos, M., Gibson, C., & Li, Y. (2025). Youth Attitudes and Perceptions Regarding Police, Courts, and Political Engagement: A Texas Study. Humanity & Society, 49(4), 477-498. https://doi.org/10.1177/01605976251363960
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Publication Title
Humanity & Society
DOI
10.1177/01605976251363960
Comments
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