Social Exclusion and Youth Participation in Urban Margins: Evidence from Indonesian Cities

Abstract

Social exclusion remains a significant challenge affecting young people's ability to participate actively in social, community, and civic activities, particularly in suburban areas experiencing rapid social and spatial transformation. This study aims to examine the relationship between social exclusion and youth participation in suburban areas in Indonesia. A quantitative research approach was employed using survey data collected from 175 young respondents. Data were gathered through a structured questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale, while data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The analysis included descriptive statistics, validity and reliability testing, classical assumption testing, and simple linear regression analysis. The findings indicate that social exclusion has a negative and significant relationship with youth participation. The coefficient of determination shows that social exclusion explains 22.2% of the variance in youth participation. These results demonstrate that limited access to social networks, institutional opportunities, and community resources may reduce young people's engagement in collective activities. The study highlights the importance of strengthening inclusive social environments, expanding youth access to participation spaces, and developing community-based strategies to reduce exclusion in suburban communities. This research contributes to the literature on social inclusion and youth development by providing empirical evidence from the Indonesian suburban context.