I've met some highly intelligent teenagers and believe they are very socially conscious. I think the voting age should be lowered to age 16. What do you think, and why?
2006-11-11 12:29:54 · 14 answers · asked by Ivy 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
YES! I know 14-year-olds who are much more politically informed that most adults. Kids who don't care about politics would tend not to vote, just like adults who don't care. And those who do are just as capable of making decisions as many adults.
A while ago, I came across someone on Answers who proudly informed us that she'd voted for Bush in 2004 and would be voting for him again in 2008. She was genuinely surprised to learn he was already on his 2nd term and couldn't run again. Clearly there are plenty of uninformed voters out there already.
The "adult" voter population elected Bush. Twice. At a few weeks shy of 14 years old, it was already obvious to me that Bush was not going to make a good president. Six years later, he ended up with approval ratings that rivaled those of Nixon, right before he resigned.
If 16-year-olds are old enough to drive, they should certainly be old enough to vote. Cars are a fair bit more dangerous than ballots.
The younger kids are allowed to do something that most people don't inherently find exciting, the more likely they'll be excited to be old enough to do it. If kids can start voting younger, they're more likely to start voting, ultimately resulting in increased voter turn out and civic participation.
If the voting age were lowered to 16, what's the worst that could happen? We elect a lying idiot with an affinity for starting wars he can't win, who thinks he can finance that war with tax cuts for the rich, and has made every effort to set civil rights back 100 years? Oh wait, we already did that.
2006-11-11 17:23:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
I believe that the minimum age for voting should be 16.
People mock them for being childish and stupid yet today's youth are far more aware of the world of which they live in. Unlike generations before them, they asked questions and challenge what it is told to them as they want to know the truth. They do not get foolishly radical like the Baby Boomers but remain sensible and think about the issue's before them.
They would vote more intelligently than many of those older than them. Sure, they are not worldly wise but we don't want them to think like the older generations who are responsible for so much death and destruction.
They are humanist and should definately have a say in the world of which they will become a part in. Heaven forbid allowing a young person the right to have an opinion.
2006-11-12 10:13:22 · answer #2 · answered by Earth 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I know you are joking. Right? I actually think the age should be raised to at least 25. I talked to several young men and women (early to mid twenties) just before the last election. While they all spoke socially consciousn ideas , only 1 in 10 were even REGISTERED to vote.
2006-11-12 10:37:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no because even though there are some very intellegent teenagers, there are also a majority of very immature ones. Not that theres anything wrong with that! i mean they are teenagers so theres nothing wrong for them to act like teenagers. But what i mean by this is, as you can see here on yahoo answers for example, what kind of answers 'some' and I repeat, 'some' teenagers post, or what kind of questions, I mean who knows what they would vote for, 'just for the hell of it' you know what i mean? Some would probably just throw in a vote that would be bad, just to get a kick out of it. I dont think most of them would take it seriously.
2006-11-11 12:40:32 · answer #4 · answered by Esme 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes there are some very intellegent teenagers, but the majority of 16 yr. olds don't have a clue. I don't believe they would take the time needed to research all the candidates but would tend to vote solely on what someone else might say or could be influenced by their peers.
2006-11-11 12:39:55 · answer #5 · answered by goldielocks123 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
yes, the more younger voters the better.
It seems teenagers are starting to get politically involved too.
I wanted to vote for President in 2000 but I couldn't cuz I was too young.
2006-11-11 12:51:50 · answer #6 · answered by Cuddly Lez 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it should be left at 18 because that is the legal age of adulthood.
2006-11-11 12:33:39 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think they shouldn't. I actually think that the voting age should be raised to age 21, because that it about when the brain fully finishes developing. Sometimes the elections aren't fair, because teens can be persuaded to take sides! That is my opinion.
2006-11-11 12:38:49 · answer #8 · answered by C.S. 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
No we already have too many people voting for the best looking people!
2006-11-11 12:33:17 · answer #9 · answered by Bawney 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no, there is no such creature, book smart and worldly smart are two separate subjects. there is also a study that suggest that kids will join the party of their parents. what's next 17 to drink?
2006-11-11 15:32:42 · answer #10 · answered by King Midas 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋