“The Girl Must Stay Quiet”: Marginalisation of Young Women in Political Spaces and the Impact of Gender Socialization and Ethnic Background

Studies on youth political participation reveal how engagement levels and
forms differ due to gender, socioeconomic resources, and cultural backgrounds. Three
key aspects are highlighted: first, political inequalities originate in adolescence, shaped
by family political socialization, influencing gender differences, ideology, and ethnic
disparities. Second, youth political engagement is affected by intersectional power
dynamics, including gender and ethnicity. Third, young people face political institu
tions that are systematically gendered, with rules that have “gendered effects,” and must
navigate male-dominated cultures. This article contributes empirical evidence on the
relationship between political socialization, gender norms, and participation among
late adolescents and young adults, using an intersectional framework. It employs an
Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Design. The quantitative phase draws on
Eurobarometer Youth survey and the MAYBE project (a multilevel survey with 2,756
Lombardy students, aged 18-20, from 81 schools and 165 classes). The qualitative
phase consists of 3 focus groups (participants: 7 men, 14 women, 7 with migrant back
grounds, aged 18-35 in Lombardy), collected by YEP! Youth Equality Participation.
The article emphasizes the need to address gender biases in socialization and politi
cal practices to foster inclusivity, while highlighting the additional challenges faced by
young women from migratory family backgrounds.