Borrowing Lessons From A Long Standing Tradition in Civic Engagement
Artifact Justification
This is a paper that I wrote for a class on adolescent development. After selecting the documentary Boys State as my film, I reflected on my learning throughout the course; analyzing how the experiences shown on screen modeled what science knows and understands about adolescent development. What stood out in my analysis was the impact on identity that positive risk-taking can have for teens.
My reason for picking a documentary over the fictional options that made up the rest of the list of choices was simple - I wanted insight on real students in real settings. Boys State provided just that.and this paper exemplifies my mastery of the standard by showcasing
Allegory of the Election: A Review of Boys State
Moss, J., & McBaine, A. (Directors). (2020). Boys state [film]. Concordia Studio.
Texan high schoolers flood the weeklong camp of Boys State, a political simulation experience where young men partake in mock trials, elections and party politics. In just under 2 hours, viewers follow the stories of several students who have stepped up to chair one of the rival parties or run for the coveted position of governor. The race provides a storyline that carries the audience through the week as party platforms are developed and the boys navigate this experiential education in U.S. politics.
State Representation
Pulled together on the UT Austin Campus, boys from all over the state of Texas bring their passion for politics and patriotism. Key characters represent a diversity of archetypes that come from immigrant or wealthy families and hold conservative beliefs or socialist ideals. Boys bring a variety of talents, contributing to the camp marching band, performing speeches or in the talent show and running their campaigns on social media. Filmed in the summer of 2018 during the Trump administration, issues such as immigration and gun control are major topics amongst the students as they imitate real-world politics.
Being a Politician, I Think
Boys State programs accept high school juniors, offering scholarship opportunities and resume builders. The boys are as a group, exceptional in their abilities as they have made it through a somewhat rigorous application and interview process in order to attend the camp. These students represent the school leaders from across Texas. They are however still teenage boys who are navigating peer relationships and defining what it means to be a man. At the same time, they are attempting to balance their ideas about the world with the ambitions they have for making a space for themselves in it. In one interview, Robert, an aspiring governor, admits to abandoning his personal views - being pro-choice, in an attempt to garner the support of a more conservative group. While speaking confidently, his phase of development and ebbing self-assurance peeks through when he remarks, “That’s what politicians do, I think.”
Losing a Campaign, Winning Respect
Towards the end of the film, we learn that Steven has lost the gubernatorial election. Despite being true to his beliefs and values, taking the time to hear the voices of his constituents and running a clean and promising campaign, in the end he loses. In a camp of 600 boys, pursuing the highest office is one of the greatest risks one could take. Coupled with the pressure of public speaking and potential defamation, putting himself out there exposed Steven to the extremes of the experience at Boys State. This risk, potentially losing, was previously shown to defer another student from following his original plan of running for governor. What is amazing about the scene that unfolds after Steven’s loss, is that the opportunity to take a risk in a positive format resulted in several very powerful takeaways.
First, we see not just Steven’s tears, but tears on the faces of boys who come to praise his efforts and his character. The open display of vulnerability and the connections created between the boys speak loudly to the importance of fostering social and emotional intelligence amongst boys. In a situation where losing can promote connection and words of affirmation, there is insight to be gleaned from the experience that could potentially be replicated in schools. After his loss, we also see Steven speaking on the phone with his mother, telling her about the pride he feels in himself and naming his accomplishments. Steven is able to react in a way that demonstrates remarkable maturity where his loss is not viewed as a failure, but as an accomplishment to have made it to the final 2 candidates.
For Mature Audiences
While viewing the film it very rarely feels like a glimpse into the typical behaviors of adolescents and more often seems like you are being introduced to America’s future congressmen. As other reviewers have commented, any immaturity shown amongst the boys seems little different from the antics and ideas shared by some real-world politicians (Bradshaw, 2020).
From an adult’s perspective, it was eye-opening to see the views held by some of these young men, specifically around abortion and gun control. The way that Steven’s previous participation in a rally against school shootings was successfully weaponized against him in his race for governor caused extreme cognitive dissonance when these boys were themselves all potential victims of such tragedies.
Most notable though was the general success of the Legion’s experiment as an educational tool in civic engagement and leadership. Social studies teachers can gleam many insights into effective strategies for implementing and executing simulation experiments in their schools and classrooms.
References
Bradshaw, P. (2020, August 3). Boys State review – amazing study of teenagers running for pretend office. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/aug/03/boys-state-review-amazing-study-of-teenagers-running-for-pretend-office
Henderson, O. (n.d.). Boys State movie review & film summary (2020) | Roger Ebert. Https://Www.Rogerebert.Com/. Retrieved July 24, 2024, from https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/boys-state-movie-review-2020
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