Corporate dominated airwaves and printing presses inculcate a false image of consent to mainstream values. Developing an informed and educated opinion, a major premise of civic responsibility, is difficult when the media sacrifices content for commercials. Systematic institutional barriers including, but not limited to, racism, classicism, sexism and homophobia severely limit full participation in the democratic processes. The current system is inadequate to represent the full diaspora of the people in the United States today. Being aware of how these articulated social problems permeate our culture leads to an understanding of the inadequacies of our current socialization process.
Citizens are ill equipped to disentangle the roots of their apathy from prevailing social norms.
Effective and comprehensive social change will grow from realizing past culpability and accepting future responsibility for recreating civic engagement. Our Responsibilities Responsibility for indifference to politics belongs to both individuals and society as a whole. Young people must take advantage of formal and informal civic education to develop their opinions and translate them into political action. Fortunately, there are numerous ways for youth to express themselves politically. Across an educational spectrum, a common age can bridge social and economic differences.