“Hope for a better tomorrow”: Using photovoice to understand how Arab adolescents enact critical consciousness

Abstract

AbstractWe explore how Arab adolescents enact critical consciousness to improve their lives and better their community. Eleven first‐ and second‐generation Arab adolescents participated in a Photovoice study and were asked to reflect on and take photos that represented their well‐being, daily life, and sense of belonging and community. The participants discussed their photos over multiple group reflection sessions. Thematic analysis highlights how Arab adolescents make positive change in their community, aided by their connections to community, their awareness of structural challenges they and their communities face, and their sense of agency to make positive change. We contribute to the literature by offering a window into the lived experiences of critical consciousness among Arab adolescents, an underrepresented group in the critical consciousness literature. We also add to the growing body of evidence that highlights the importance of “everyday activism” when considering social change actions.