This descriptive research analyzes the causes of political abstention of young Chileans. Thus, the perceptions about politics and forms of participation of young people in the Metropolitan area are investigated. The methodology combines quantitative and qualitative instruments (a survey of 596 youngsters, 15 interviews and 3 focus groups). The main objective of this research is to understand how the Chilean institutions may act to promote and regain youth participation. The results obtained showed that young Chileans are interested in politics and are participatory, although there are differences between genders and between socioeconomic levels. The main conclusion reached was that the causes of abstention are motivated by discontent and rejection of the electoral and political system, not by 'apathy' or 'indifference' towards politics.