Who gets to be heard?:Young Europeans’ experiences and perceptions of the impact of social groups on political agency

Despite growing recognition of young people’s democratic rights, many young Europeans—particularly those in disadvantaged positions—continue to face significant obstacles to exercising political agency. Using Young’s (2006) critique of the unequal access to deliberative democracy as a starting point, this paper presents nuanced qualitative insights into how diverse groups of young Europeans experience and perceive opportunities to have a say and be listened to, both in everyday spaces and in society at large. Insights are based on 22 focus group discussions conducted in schools and community organizations with 140 participants aged 15–34 from Switzerland, Portugal, Italy, Finland, Denmark, and the UK. Findings reveal two key dynamics. First, being young was consistently perceived as a barrier to being regarded as authoritative. Second, social group belonging was perceived to shape who gets heard. Participants emphasized the role of class, education, and family background, noting that privilege and supportive, well-educated parents foster confidence and fluency in “the right language.” Conversely, deviations from dominant norms—linked to ethnicity, sexuality, disability, or gender—were experienced as diminishing legitimacy. These intersecting disadvantages amplify barriers to youth political participation, highlighting the need for inclusive political platforms that enable multiple voices to be heard and valued.