POLITICAL OPINION FORMATION AMONG SECONDARY EDUCATION STUDENTS IN GUARULHOS

Abstract

This article aims to understand youths’ political positions and opinion formation based on a survey with students in public schools in the municipality of Guarulhos, Brazil. We used descriptive analysis and logistic regression models to identify the determinants of a more progressive or conservative position on different political issues, considering socio-economic and relational characteristics. The results show that closeness to family, to certain religious denominations or to the group of peers can influence opinion formation. Likewise, the gender issue and self-identification as a poor person from a deprived neighborhood have a significant influence on youths’ positions on political issues related with these groups.

YOUTH; PUBLIC OPINION; POLITICS; SCHOOLS