This paper presents a study in which two groups of young people were actors, one group as research partners and another group as respondents. The study was about experiences of participation in school from an intra-generational perspective. An interactive research methodology was used in the study. Young research partners were involved in formulating research questions and implementing a ‘Youth survey’ among other students in secondary or upper secondary schools. Respondents in the survey were 100 students (15-18y) in both special and mainstream schools. Mixed methods were used and the qualitative empery described youth’s perceptions of participation. Quantitative empery described youth’s experiences of participation. Perceived barriers to participation were both peer and adult mediated. There were also structural barriers as discrimination and communicative exclusion. Youth’s perceptions of participation included social relations with peers, educational relation with teachers and democratic values in school policy. Conditions for participation were related to young people’s agency. Experiences of ill treatment from peers and from adults were correlated. The lack of adult support made one group of students doubly exposed. The intergenerational perspective showed lack of adult responsibility for youth’s participation. The intra generational perspective showed that the act of taking responsibility was important for youth’s participation. Adults need to take responsibility for facilitating young people’s participation and youth’s need to be empowered as part in participatory processes