Mapping the biopolitics of school dropout and youth resistance

Qualitative methods, youth participatory action research, focus group, X-ray maps (mapping method)

Abstract This study looks at school dropout as biopolitical youth resistance. Focus groups and x-ray maps were two methods used in this participatory action research project with youth in New York City. Adding to existing research on school dropout as a public health issue, this study moves to position school non-completion as a form of biopower, and both a physiologically and psychically health-protecting act.

Youth participatory action research was chosen in recognizing youth as experts of their own bodies, experiences and lifeworlds. Youth researchers were compensated for their participation.

This article positions school non-completion as a form of biopower, and school dropout as a form of biopolitical youth resistance: "If students are physiologically experiencing stress, discomfort, headaches, stomachaches, heartaches, depression, anxiety or chronic worry because of school, is school dropout not only an appropriate form of youth resistance, but an act of biopolitical, life-saving resistance?" (p.634).

audio and videotaped, x-ray maps

This study offers a preliminary argument for school non-completion as a form of biopower.

"School dropout as biopolitical youth resistance can be understood in this context, where one's fight for recognition and self-worth can only occur upon the act of leaving school. Denied a rightful, flourishing self, school dropout is a form of biopolitical youth resistance: an attempt to 'take life' back, in the most serious, most essential, and most biological of senses” (p. 634).

Education policy
education