Exploring human rights conceptualisations in the United States : a study into knowledge and attitudes of participants connected to a social justice NGO

Abstract

Natt, Sharon. 2016. Exploring Human Rights Conceptualisations in the United States: A study into knowledge and attitudes of participants connected to a social justice NGO. University of Jyväskylä. Department of Education.

Concepts of human rights are present within our social, global and geo-political frameworks, yet their understandings are subject to infinite influences and interpretations. This localised and exploratory study importantly addresses a gap in previous research by investigating such conceptualisations against the backdrop of the United States. Centring on knowledge and attitudes, it focuses specifically on US participants with a connection to a social justice NGO. Representations of negative and positive rights are compared against demographics and awareness of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) to draw deeper conclusions within the wider context. Furthermore, attitudes towards human rights education are explored.

The 151-sized sample was derived from NGO The Advocates for Human Rights’ mailing list and Minneapolis State Fair between August-September 2015. The mixed-methods survey results were then analysed using data-driven quantitative and qualitative content methods. The results found that human rights were often articulated through naturalistic and ethical language, and most participants deemed the concepts relevant to their lives. The majority also believed that human rights education should be taught in schools. Negative rights were referred to more than positive rights, and just over half reported an awareness of the UDHR. Consequently, this awareness was shown to significantly impact how certain issues were viewed. The research produced significant findings and thus gives recommendations for further research in this area.