Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
By ozkid92
@ozkid92 (549)
United States
February 7, 2008 6:08pm CST
I support the idea that the legal voting age should be lowered to 16 because:
At the age of 16,
- driving laws are set on you
- most people begin to pay taxes
- you get a job (usually)
- you can marry
- you can be tried as an adult and even sentenced to death
So, why is it that even though 16 year olds can have all these responsibilities, but cannot have a say in how the laws controling these things effects them?
In 2004 studies showed that the amount of 16 year olds in groups which are fighting for the age to be lowered, was twice the amount of people who actually DID vote ages 18-24. The government is worried about young voters not taking the time to vote. If there is a whole new range of people wanting to vote, who are concerned and smart enough about politics, they would have many more votes and an even more accurate and effective election.
To describe a murderer as a "mature, responsible adult" and then to describe a 16 year old who wants to vote as a "silly child" is wrong and hypocritical. It is clear that today's generation of teens are far more informed (having access to technology) than the last generation, making them more concerned and willing to fight for their rights.
Do you agree with this or are there reasons you can list why the age shouldnt be lowered to 16?
2 people like this
5 responses
@wayhuck (55)
• Malaysia
16 Apr 08
Well, no way. A 16 shouldn't vote. Although you have a point there, but 16 is not having a matured enough minds to vote. So that's why voting age should not be lowered to 16.
Should be 18 at least. Although it's just 2 years differences, the mind really change alot in 16 - 18 and so that's why. More matured people should vote, less matured people (*ahem* teen) should wait until they're matured enough.
2 people like this
@Citizen_Stuart (2016)
•
8 May 08
I personally think 18's a bit too young. I'd make the voting age 21. The reason is, to vote responsibly you could do with a bit of life experience. If you vote at 16, all you know about is school. That extra 5 years working, paying taxes, maybe starting a family, gives you that bit more time to mature and think about the issues.
1 person likes this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
24 Jun 08
I applaud you for your for your interest in the running of our country. I don't think that the voting age should be lowered to 16, infact I think that it should be raised to 21. My reason is what you have is just book learning and not any life experience. Mostly what you have learned is what your teachers have taught you. Yes you probably are keeping up with what is going on around the country and the world but until you have been out on your own and experienced life that way I really don't think that you can vote intelligently. Reading about life and actually living it is totally different.
@mehale (2200)
• United States
9 May 08
While I applaud you for wanting to vote and take an interest in politics at such a young age, I still think it is better to wait till you are 18 before you are allowed to vote. For one thing, young people are still learning about politics and the way the world, economy, and government work at that age. It is better to have a solid understanding of these things BEFORE trying to vote on who will handle them best and how. While it is easy and natural to want to grow up quickly, it is better to take our time and learn while we are still young, and then apply that knowledge to the real world later.
