Activism across the lifecourse: circumstantial, dormant and embedded activisms

Maynard, N.

Abstract

Focusing on the relationship between activism, the individual and the lifecourse, this paper argues for the importance of conceptualising activism as a dynamic temporal, as well as spatial, process. Transferring Nancy Worth's understanding of youth transitions ‘as becoming’ onto activism, and using empirical research with adults who were involved in organisationally mediated activism as young people, three states of activism are offered and considered: circumstantial, dormant and embedded. Firstly activism that is circumstantial, important in the moment, is shown to play a significant role for young people in making possible multiple potential futures. Exploring these connections between the past and future unsettles the recent (over)emphasis in the studies of children and young people and P/politics, of the ‘here and now’. Secondly, it is argued that when involvement in organisationally mediated activism has finished, these experiences of activism have not ended but are dormant. They may be rejuvenated and curated at a different position in the lifecourse or following a new moment of conscientisation. Thirdly, contributing to a growing body of literature within activist geographies, instances where activism has become embedded in everyday spaces are examined. Complex transitions to adulthood are suggested to contribute to the nature of activism in these spaces. Going beyond the documentation of small-scale activisms, these activisms are also presented as entwined with other scales.

Citation

Maynard, N. (2018). Activism across the lifecourse: circumstantial, dormant and embedded activisms. Area, 50(2), 205-212. https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12349

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 6, 2017
• Online Publication Date: May 18, 2017
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Apr 6, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: May 18, 2019
• Journal: Area
• Print ISSN: 0004-0894
• Electronic ISSN: 1475-4762
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 50
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 205-212
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12349
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1381452