Political Socialization in Changing Times: Generations and Agents.

Although the study of socialization processes has existed for decades in the social sciences, local and global transformations renew the challenges to the accumulated knowledge. In the last decade, increasing in mass mobilizations, led by the participation of young adults and youth on the school stage, marked by a widening repertoire of participation (from peaceful demonstrations to radical forms of political action). Additionally, the emergence of the right-wing conservative movement, growing concern about populist candidates, or the social and economic consequences derived from the pandemic pose uncertain scenarios. The acquisition of knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of the new generations and how these prepare them to exercise their role as citizens in the recent local and global contexts becomes a huge question.

These scenarios challenge knowledge about intergenerational socialization processes, the role that schools can or should play, and the role of traditional media and social networks, among others. To address these challenges, this panel accepts theoretical, empirical, and experimental contributions that aim: to discuss findings of different agents of socialization and their role in acquiring knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors relevant to the exercise of citizenship throughout life. To discuss the social transformations and their impact on political socialization processes. Finally, to discuss the challenges that social shifts and generational differences put on current knowledge about political socialization processes.