Paper short abstract:

We present a study on the construction of subjectivity and youth participation in social movements in the Greater Buenos Aires (Argentina), focused on organizations of unemployed workers and social work in poor neighborhoods.

Paper long abstract:

We present some results of a research conducted with young people from two social movements in suburban Buenos Aires, the Central of Argentine Workers Youth (Juventud de la Central de los Trabajadores Argentinos, JCTA) and the Dario Santillan Popular Front (Frente Popular Darío Santillán, FPDS).

In both cases, and beyond the differences in institutional frameworks, strategies and ways of political action, we observe a process of construction of subjectivities that lead to community and social engagement of young boys and girls, as well as political participation. We consider the spaces and mechanisms where this involvement takes place and the ways they follow to became members of the social movement.

We identify differences and similarities with youth participation in the past decades, in terms of representation, types of action, structures, ideological frameworks and cultural aspects of activism and participation, in their intent to challenge the social and political structures.

Among the predominant elements, we see the importance of assemblies, horizontal modalities decision-making and the place of "youth" as a strategy for social and political action.

We also recognize the role of training processes (associates to lines of popular education), productive projects developed in local areas considered as "the territory" and the networks built with other social actors (of local, national and international level).

An innovative and emerging aspect is the main role of body and sexuality, that includes celebration and joy in their commitment, integrated with militancy in everyday life, that is typical of these youth groups we studied.