Activism: The Ultimate Teen Guide

by Kathlyn Gay

Overview

Despite claims that young people today don’t care about the world they live in and don’t get involved in causes, more and more teens are taking up the fight for things they truly believe in. In fact, there are more than 10,000 members nationwide for the Youth Rights Movement and more than 50,000 members, fans, and supporters of Kids against Animal Cruelty. Many young adults who aren’t involved are simply unaware of how to become activists or where to start championing their causes.

In Activism: The Ultimate Teen Guide, Kathlyn Gay explains why people become activists, the types of causes they advocate or oppose, and how teenagers can get involved. Activists are vigorous supporters for issues that are important to them, from social causes to political campaigns. While students often volunteer for a short period of time for school credit, many want to continue doing more outside of the classroom. This book assists those young adults who want to learn more about specific issues and organizations. Chapters are divided by topic and include

• Youth rights
• Teen health
• Campaigns against sexual violence and trafficking
• Animal rights
• Religious issues
• Peace efforts
• Gun control and gun rights
• Immigration

This book also includes a valuable chapter on learning to be an activist and a resource section that lists dozens of organizations dedicated to specific causes. Throughout this book, the author highlights the lives and activities of numerous teens who are long-term activists and also suggests books and films that promote activism. Activism: The Ultimate Teen Guide is a wonderful resource for young adults who are interested in making the world a better place.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442242944
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	01/14/2016
Series:	It Happened to Me Series , #47
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	234
File size:	4 MB
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Kathlyn Gay has written more than 120 books and articles. She is the author of several titles in the "It Happened to Me" series for Rowman & Littlefield, including Cultural Diversity (2003), Volunteering (2004), The Military and Teens (2008), Body Image and Appearance (2009), Living Green (2012), Bigotry and Intolerance (2013), and Divorce (2014).
Kathlyn Gay is a full-time freelance writer and has authored more than 120 books and articles. She is the author of several titles in the "It Happened to Me" series for Scarecrow, including Cultural Diversity (2003), Volunteering (2004), The Military and Teens (2008), and Body Image and Appearance (2009).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

1 Who Are Activists? 1

2 Youth Rights Promoters 17

3 Advocates for Teen Good Health 33

4 Campaigns against Sexual Violence and Trafficking 49

5 Crusaders for the Earth 65

6 Advocates for Animals 79

7 Religious Activism: Pro and Con Issues 95

8 Peace Efforts 111

9 Hate Groups and Anti-Hate Actions 127

10 Gun Control versus Gun Rights Activists 143

11 Immigration Reform Activists and Critics 159

12 Learning to Be an Activist 173

Glossary 189

Further Reading 191

Activist Organizations 193

Notes 199

Selected Bibliography 219

Index 221

About the Author 223

Editorial Reviews

02/01/2016
Gr 7 Up—This guide introduces the major issues addressed by young activists and shares the stories of real teens fighting for what they believe in. Gay describes 10 causes and the ways in which kids and teens have taken action. Some sections stress facts and statistics more than activism, particularly in chapters on sexual assault and climate change. Because of the grassroots and often localized nature of activism and the emphasis on current topics, the sources cited are primarily blogs and websites. The title is thoroughly researched and highlights diverse teen activists across the country. Gay offers historical perspectives and many resources for further reading and viewing. The information is up-to-date, including the latest about gay marriage and immigration reform. However, a major oversight is the omission of the generation-defining Occupy and Black Lives Matter movements—though the author does discuss the deaths of Michael Brown and Freddie Gray. Additionally, the material in some sections is scattered and lacks cohesion, as Gay jumps from story to story, and the bland stock images with vague descriptions add little value. VERDICT Because this volume falls somewhere in between a how-to guide and research material, it may be difficult for it to find an audience. But once teens begin to read, they will gain knowledge about timely topics and may be inspired to act for change.—Clara Hendricks, Cambridge Public Library, MA

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-This guide introduces the major issues addressed by young activists and shares the stories of real teens fighting for what they believe in. Gay describes 10 causes and the ways in which kids and teens have taken action. Some sections stress facts and statistics more than activism, particularly in chapters on sexual assault and climate change. Because of the grassroots and often localized nature of activism and the emphasis on current topics, the sources cited are primarily blogs and websites. The title is thoroughly researched and highlights diverse teen activists across the country. Gay offers historical perspectives and many resources for further reading and viewing. The information is up-to-date, including the latest about gay marriage and immigration reform. . . .VERDICT . . . [O]nce teens begin to read, they will gain knowledge about timely topics and may be inspired to act for change.

From the Publisher