Explaining the Political and Personal Consequences of Protest.

The article examines the consequences of social movement participation for late 1960s and early 1970s activists, most of whom participated in the antiwar, student, and civil rights protests. After providing an explanatory framework for understanding how social movement participation might have continuing influence across a number of social realms, the article tests whether run-of-the-mill participation in the antiwar and student protests of the late 1960s had an impact. Social movement organizations recruit adherents who are, to some degree, ideologically aligned with the goals of the movement. However, the relationship between constituents' orientations and movement participation is not unidirectional. Social movements attempt to attract like-minded individuals, while trying to change the preferences of adherents and bystanders to more closely conform with those of the organization. A considerable body of literature has developed around the consequences of participation in social movements. After proposing a framework for explaining the consequences of activism, the article focus on four areas of social life that might be influenced by protest participation: politics, status attainment, religion, and family.