ABSTRACT
Theories of resource mobilization, political process, and new social movements, along with the orienting concepts of social movements, are explored in relation to child participants in this chapter. Several questions are addressed in an effort to encourage social movement research to begin to acknowledge child participants. What assumptions currently found in social movement theories and empirical research need to be challenged to allow for future inclusion of children as participants? Specifically, what barriers exist for social movement scholars to recognize the agency of children in social movements? Should children’s mobilization be studied in a different way than adult participants? The history of modifications to existing theories by further insights and inclusions has only strengthened our understanding of social movements. There is nothing inherent in social movement theories and approaches that would preclude the discussion or research of children in social movements. This discussion on the need for inclusion of children into social movement literature utilizes my theoretical model that emerges from the specific cases of children’s participation presented throughout the book. My theoretical model provides a tool to help with a range of participation types, embracing the variation and extent of child participants.
