Lowering the voting age to 16-year-olds (or even under)? | Q+A

Summary

The speaker discusses whether the voting age should be lowered to 16, presenting both sides of the debate. They highlight that while some young people support lowering the voting age, others do not. The speaker believes 18 is an appropriate age, aligning with global standards, and raises concerns about political parties targeting schools. However, they also argue that involving politics in schools could improve the political climate by encouraging responsible behavior. Overall, the speaker emphasizes that young people are politically aware and should be more democratically engaged, including through voting.

Takeaways

• 🚗 The speaker, at 16 years old, highlights that they can drive, work, enlist in the army, and pay taxes but cannot vote.
• 🧠 The speaker believes that 16 is an age where young people start to understand the world and recognize the importance of their vote.
• 📣 Some young people support lowering the voting age to 16, while others are against it, indicating a lack of consensus on the issue.
• 🗣️ The speaker encourages youth to engage politically in other ways, suggesting that voting is not the only way to have a say in political matters.
• 📊 The speaker believes 18 is the right voting age, in line with other democracies, and raises concerns about political parties targeting schools for tactical reasons.
• 🏫 Another viewpoint is that bringing politics into schools could be beneficial, as people tend to behave better around children and teachers, and schools can combat misinformation.
• 👩‍🏫 Teachers are seen as effective in protecting kids from misinformation, and schools might improve political discourse, rather than being corrupted by it.
• 🎓 Kids are encouraged to participate in politics and campaign, but the speaker notes that they are often denied the right to vote, creating a disconnect.
• 📢 The speaker argues that denying kids the vote distances them from politics, despite decisions being made for them in many areas of their lives.
• 🗳️ The speaker believes that introducing democracy to younger people, including the right to vote, could be beneficial for both kids and the political system.

Q & A

Why does the speaker believe that 16-year-olds should be allowed to vote?

The speaker argues that 16-year-olds are mature enough to understand the world around them, recognize the influence of their vote, and make informed decisions.

What are some responsibilities that the speaker mentions 16-year-olds can already take on?

The speaker mentions that 16-year-olds can pay taxes, work full-time, enlist in the army, drive a car, and be held criminally responsible.

Why do some young people oppose lowering the voting age to 16?

The speaker acknowledges that while some young people want the voting age lowered, others do not, indicating a lack of consensus among youth on this issue.

What does the speaker suggest as alternative ways for young people to engage politically?

The speaker encourages young people to engage in political activities beyond voting, such as campaigning or advocating for causes they care about.

Why does the speaker believe the voting age should stay at 18?

The speaker believes 18 is a reasonable age for voting, consistent with other democracies, and worries about political parties targeting schools for tactical reasons if the age is lowered.

How does the speaker respond to the concern about bringing politics into schools?

The speaker thinks that bringing politics into schools would be beneficial because adults behave better around children, misinformation is taken seriously in schools, and teachers protect students from it.

What is the speaker’s opinion on how children are currently engaged with politics?

The speaker feels that children are encouraged to engage with politics, but without the right to vote, they are still distanced from true political participation.

What role do teachers play in the speaker’s vision of politics in schools?

Teachers play a protective role in guarding students from misinformation and creating a healthy environment for political discussion.

Why does the speaker think children feel a distance from politics?

The speaker believes that children feel distanced from politics because decisions are made for them, and they do not have the right to choose who represents them.

What does the speaker think would be the benefit of allowing children to vote?

The speaker believes that giving children the right to vote would provide them with real democracy and make politics more inclusive and relevant to their lives.