MJS was founded in 1993 as a formally independent youth organisation.

However, its statutes commit the MJS to be generally supportive of its mother party.

In a biannual general assembly called Congrès National, all members of MJS come together to discuss and decide on general positions as well as concrete projects.

Of several political currents within the MJS, a coalition of the centrist "Transformer à Gauche" (Transform to the left) and the Marxist "Offensive socialiste" (Socialist Offensive) dominated the 2009 Congress of Grenoble, successfully nominating Laurianne Deniaud for president.

A minority movement of "Jeunes Socialistes pour la renovation" (Young socialists for renewal) and "La Relève" (The Uprise) calling for organizational changes including more transparency and grassroots democracy couldn't prevail, neither could the civil libertarian wing.