Gendered Visions of Citizenship in Contemporary Morocco

In Morocco, young people are navigating a political environment marked by de-politicization, institutional distrust, and limited formal mechanisms for participation. Yet instead of withdrawing entirely, many turn to digital platforms to debate morality, identity, religious values, and social order. This paper examines how Moroccan youth construct competing models of citizenship through podcast narratives, exploring why young men gravitate toward conservative thinking while women tend to promote freedom and emancipation. Drawing on qualitative analysis of Moroccan podcasts hosted by young men and women, the study explores how digital platforms function as informal civic education spaces where norms, roles, and boundaries of citizenship are contested and redefined. Preliminary observations suggest that male-led podcasts often frame citizenship in moral and protectionist terms: being a “good citizen” means defending tradition, resisting the Western influence and upholding religious values. This reflects a form of re-politicization through culture and morality rather than through democratic institutions. However, female-led podcasts, perceive citizenship as a way to emphasize autonomy, equality, and individual freedoms. These divergent citizenship scripts illuminate broader intergenerational tensions over representation, legitimacy, and Morocco’s democratic future. By analyzing how young men and women use podcasts to imagine belonging, authority, and social responsibility, the paper connects scholarship on de-politicization, youth conservatism, and political socialization. Ultimately, the study positions podcasts as crucial sites where youth negotiate the meanings of citizenship in a context where formal political participation feels inaccessible, inadequate, or untrustworthy.