Growing into Politics

The spread of political distrust and frustration among many Europeans, particularly the younger generation, highlights the pressing need for research into political socialisation. Abendschön’s refreshing new contribution to this field offers traditional perspectives alongside new data, new research designs, and new methodological approaches. The book covers socialisation in the family and the school, and tackles robustly important questions such as the importance of sources of political influence, and the role of electronic media. -- Trond Solhaug, Norwegian University for Science and Technology

A collection of highly topical and well elaborated pieces of research in the important area of political socialisation and education. The editor has succeeded in composing a volume with a truly international feel. Most valuably, the book gives an overview of new research methods applied in different contexts and countries, and for children of various ages. This is a must-read for experts in political socialisation and education, but recommended equally to all professionals interested in education processes. -- Christ’l De Landtsheer, University of Antwerp

Simone Abendschön is assistant professor and researcher in the department of social science at Goethe University, Frankfurt. Her main interest is in political socialisation, values, political and social participation, and concepts of the public sphere in contemporary media democracies. She obtained her doctorate at the University of Mannheim on young children's value orientations and their relevance for political and democratic socialisation. She is currently involved in a research project investigating civic education and political equality in a comparative perspective.