Interrogating the Intersections: How Intersectional Perspectives Can Inform Developmental Scholarship on Critical...

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Sociology
• Critical Theory

Background:

• Societal structures and inequities significantly impact youth development.
• Marginalized youth critically evaluate societal inequities and engage in action (critical consciousness).
• Higher critical consciousness in marginalized youth correlates with improved mental health, educational/occupational outcomes, and civic engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review and extend research on marginalized youth's critical consciousness from an intersectional perspective.
• To propose strengthening this research area by focusing on systems of oppression and sociohistorical context.
• To offer recommendations for integrating intersectionality into scholarship on youth critical consciousness development.

Main Methods:

• Critical literature review of developmental psychology and intersectionality research.
• Theoretical extension of existing frameworks on critical consciousness.
• Analysis of psychological applications of intersectionality.

Main Results:

• Current research often focuses on individuals rather than marginalizing systems.
• There is a need to conceptualize and examine multiple, intersecting systems of oppression.
• Sociohistorical knowledge is underemphasized in current scholarship.

Conclusions:

• Integrating intersectionality can enhance the study of youth critical consciousness.
• Future research should prioritize systemic analysis, multiple oppressions, and sociohistorical context.
• Recommendations are provided for applying intersectional principles to youth development scholarship.