Why doesn't anyone else my age know anything about politics?

Question

OK, so I'm fourteen and I've been an extremely political individual since I was five years old, listening to my Conservative Republican Father argue with my Democrat Grandfather. Both are hard-working, intelligent people, so I was captivated by the discussion. Then I remember asking my parents when the 2000 election came "which party likes freedom?" of course, they told me "The Republicans" so I rooted for Bush. Then on 9/11, I couldn't get to sleep from the jets flying over our house, and I had so many questions to ask about it. Anyway, so after reading some books and doing some research I became a Democrat. But I've come to realize that NONE of my classmates have any clue about current events beyond "If we let the Mexicans in, then the terrorists will follow", "Hillary Is good because the will stop the Iraq" and "Anarchy is people fighting and going crazy in the street". I'm driven to wonder "Is it anyone's fault"? Why don't these kids know anything?

Uh, dudes, I have a girlfriend and I'm in a band. Don't resort to personal attacks please.

And I have a job. holy ****.

Oh, and I don't support Hillary.

Answer 1

Congratulations on being politically aware at such a young age. You are ahead of your peer group. Give your friends time to catch up....they will.

I was politically aware when I was your age. The Viet Nam war was still going on, Kent State happened, and other big anti war events. We debated them in our eighth grade social studies class.

What I suggest you do, is use your political, current events savy and get involved in student government. And I imagine you are doing well in your social studies classes?

You're doing fine. If you want to talk politics and current events with other kids, maybe you know some sharp older kids to talk politics with.

Answer 2

You first have to realize that not everybody had the sort of upbringing that you did, with politics discussed out in the open among family members. You are the exception to the American childhood, rather than the rule.

At 14, I (along with most of my friends) was too busy worrying about fitting into a new group of peers and a new school, and I don't think we were atypical teenagers.

By the way, those that don't know anything about politics is not limited to your age group. A disturbingly large proportion of the general adult population does not have a clue about current events beyond "If we let the Mexicans in, then the terrorists will follow", "Hillary Is good because the will stop the Iraq" and "Anarchy is people fighting and going crazy in the street". Just browse through some of the posts on Yahoo! Answers and you'll see what I mean.

Answer 3

Good for you. So much of that starts at the home. If the parents are interested and discuss politics openly, kids will end up becoming interested as well.

My parents discussed politics when we were growing up and as a result, I've always had an avid interest as well. No matter which way you lean politically, an informed voter is a good voter.

Good luck to you. This was a refreshing question to read. :)

Answer 4

Well...

YOU GO! It's great that you have a passion for something beyond your years. Other kids are probably interested in other things...

It's terrific that you're interested in the discussions between your Dad and Grandfather, they're probably proud of your interest in them and their ideas.

I'm a Republican so I would probably agree with your Dads point.

About Democrats, I would challenge you to boil down their ideas and see if what's left over is Government Control.

Governments ALWAYS try to get more powerful. They do this two ways.... Taxes, and Passing laws.

Once Governments get power, they use it to get MORE power... and it guards this power jealously.

Democrats often want to help people, but sometimes their compassion and emotion is used to fool them into supporting ideas that will further empower Government.

Republicans are often know as "Conservative." They like things to stay the same.... we're often boring, but we usually only accept a "NEW idea..." if it's a "GOOD idea..."

Keep studying... maybe I'll get to vote for you sometime.

Warm regards,
Douglas

Either way, keep studying and learn to listen to all sides of an issue. Don't hesitate to hit the BULLS . . . button.
Some might tell you to start with ME!

Answer 5

I felt the same way when i was your age, guy. The sad truth is, it doesn't really change. Most people in the 20's, 30's know know/care much either. Even though it can have a direct impact on their lives! That's why politics is the way it is; the vast majority of the people are treated like sheep, a herd to be managed, because that's just how they act. Keep thinking for yourself, question everything, and don't take anybody's word for stuff you can research yourself. You'll start to see things that others don't notice. Be warned: much of it will depress you. :-(

Answer 6

First of all, let me say kudos to you for your interest. It is an unfortunate thing that more youth are not more aware of these things. It doesn't help that our education of politics has been severely cut in school. You have to understand that that does serve a purpose. They call it "The dumbing down of America." Not many know the full contexts of the US consitution, only what is fed to them through media and current politicians. A public that does not know these things will not protest when bit by bit the Consitution and the Bill of Rights is scrapped. So what is the logical thing to do? Not teach them about it. Deluge them with other things of interest to divert thier attention. Who cares about the state of our country, what are kids really interested in? What they have been fed to be interested in: games, clothes, dating, materialism-as long as I have what I desire, nothing else matters. Especially if I don't have to sacrifice any of my stuff or my comfort for it. That is what the powers that be want. You will take that attitude into adulthood, brainwashed from childhood.
And as one of the responders here put it, anyone who has interests other than these shallow things, you fall into the category of "nerd." And we all know what it's like to be there, either from the perspective of the nerd, who is alone and alienated from his/her peers which can be a really miserable place to be at that age, or the "in-crowd" that preys upon those they think are inferior to them in the fashion and social scene to elevate thier own status within the miniature facist state of modern High School. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but there isn't a switch that goes off at midnight of one's 18th birthday that changes anything. The game stays the same, but the field gets a heck of a lot bigger is all, and far more brutal and more is at stake by then.
The positive thing about it though, is that when the proverbial crap hits the fan one day, which is coming, YOU will know what is going on while all these others will be clueless and confused, or distracted by the latest news about Paris Hilton. Keep your eyes open, and always be aware of what is happening, not just around you, but around the world. It will come to value for you one day, probably sooner than you think. Then they wont be looking at you as "that nerd" but they one they come to for the answers to why the world has gone mad. Keep up the good work friend!
By the way, there is no longer any differences between political parties really, they all have thier own agendas which no longer concern us. They are doing thier thing for thier own benefits now, not for the benefits of those they were "hired" to serve. So don't worry about parties anymore, just watch for those who dont' follow the status quo anymore, probably the one that all the folks in government hate is the one to go for, regardless of what party they belong to.

Answer 7

Most PEOPLE that vote don't know much about the issues either. It's not just the kids.

Good for you getting involved and doing your research. Just remember that just because something is in print, it doesn't make it correct. The mainstream media is quite liberal (including ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, etc)

TV like Fox News is quite conservative

Best to watch a bit of both to get both sides of the story. You will be surprised at how the same story is reported quite differently.

Good luck.

Answer 8

thats a great thing that you know so much about politics. although, i myself am not very well informed like yourself, you will have many benefits in the future and making your decisions. its not your fault, its the media and the technology that kids are consumed in and not knowing at all about current issues. youre only 14. wow. youre going to ace every history exam. may beyou shold run for some kind of position in office. btw, do you think hillary would actually win since some people are against women in office.

Answer 9

You obviously don't know much either. When you are a tax payer and have lived in the real world instead of the socialist economy you currently enjoy, then you can have an opinion. Until then you should only be concerned about having some fun before you are amongst the working sots trying to pay for all these social programs for the new generation of slaves that the liberals are creating.

Answer 10

Most adults dont know anything about politics. But honestly, you know NOTHING untill you have read the Bill Of Rights.

Read it now, and it will evolve yoru political views YEARS ahead of what they are now!

http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/funddocs/billeng.htm

Knowing atleast the first 10 amendments, will allow you to see the mainstream politicians for what they are.

For example, you will learn that the government has NO RIGHT to get involved in medical care, or other handouts. You will learn that our founding fathers ment to put the power in the peoples hands and to limit the governments power to what it is given and not given in the bill of rights.