A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, a democracy is only as strong as its voters. While America has witnessed civic engagement in the past century —with highpoints during World War II, the 1960s Civil Rights movement, and the Vietnam War protests—an unmistakable decline has characterized the past decades. A lack of civic engagement is especially associated with the younger “Generations X” and “Y”, with labels of malaise and apathy confirmed by lackluster voter turnout.

In 1972 (the first year 18 year olds were permitted to vote), 50% of eligible voters aged 18-24 cast a ballot. By 1998, this figure dwindled to less than 20%.

Yet, according to a recent Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University poll, 60% of college students have been involved in community service in the past year. Even more encouraging, 90% of students believe greater awareness of real-life examples would be an effective way to motivate fellow students to engage in public service. Despite labels of apathy, 85% of students feel community volunteerism is the better way to solve problems facing their communities.

What to make of this apparent paradox? The YPA recognizes the “service-engagement gap ” in young Americans and connects community activities to political discussion with our Service-Chapter program. A renowned American educator, John Dewey, once remarked that “education is not an affair of telling and being told, but an active and constructive process.” The YPA heeds his wisdom and communicates its positive message of nonpartisan solution-oriented discussion through first-hand community experience.

The YPA wants to be an example to a generation of young Americans. The Kennedy School of Government study concludes that “students have fashioned a political culture in which involvement is not a function of awareness.” The YPA directly tackles this disparity between involvement and awareness with our Service-Chapters—realizing that action without political context is action squandered.

Government must be made relevant to the youngest generations—the seeds of interest and consequence in politics must be planted early, before students mature into leaders. The YPA mission and Service-Chapter program answers a clear need and a growing challenge.