Vote At Age 16
Do you think humans aged 16 should be able to vote for possible officials for government?
Certainly *not*. Most 16-year-olds (in the U.S.A.) are not nearly mature enough to make such decisions, and frankly, I doubt most of them care enough to vote in any kind of major election. I also believe that most 18-year-olds are not mature enough, nor do they care enough about the real issues at hand, yet they are eligible to vote.
Perhaps in other countries this is not the case.
In my opinion, of course.
Roz
International Level: Ambassador / Political Participation: 595 59.5%
After being sixteen, I think that almost no sixteen year old would be ready to vote. In fact, most sixteen year olds are not even ready to drive. But in order to vote, you need to be able to make decisions based on your experience and beliefs. At sixteen, you still have your parents beliefs and have not had enough life experience to be able to vote in a manner that will utilize a true formulated opinion on the subject.
No, I do not think a 16 years old teenager should vote...actually I do not think an 18 years old should vote either. I deal with these children on a daily basis and NO WAY there are ready for that kind of responsibility. If I should choose an age, I would say 21 years old.
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 1089 100%
I am in agreement with the consensus so far. Most sixteen year olds really do not have enough of a grasp of the political system, and cannot form their own views of it. I admit that at 16 or 18 for that matter, I voted based on family bias more than my own opinion. The fact that we are allowing high school kids to vote, means that politicians can use certain tactics to sway these young voters, and add in the fact that 16 year olds cannot contribute fully to society yet, they should not have the opportunity to vote.
International Level: Envoy / Political Participation: 241 24.1%
I agree with what said about sixteen year olds not being able to vote. While there are exceptions to the rule, I do not believe the overall maturity level is at a high enough standard where they should be given the right to vote. They are still children in the eyes of the law, and even though they have the right to get their drivers licenses, I do not believe that they should have a say in what is happening with the government. Most of them think with their emotions at that age, and sometimes you have to put your emotions aside to think, realistically, who is the better candidate. Teenagers, for the most part, are not capable of doing. Heck, most adults aren't capable of doing that.
Someone mentioned eighteen being too young to vote, and that is where I have to disagree. When a person turns eighteen in the United States, they are a legal adult, and as such, should have a say in the things that affect them more fully. Malexander made a good point that
QUOTE |
16 year olds cannot contribute fully to society yet |
QUOTE (LDS_forever @ 28-Jan 06, 5:48 PM) |
actually I do not think an 18 years old should vote either. I deal with these children on a daily basis and NO WAY there are ready for that kind of responsibility. If I should choose an age, I would say 21 years old. |
I agree with you Konquerez, I suppose that I am talking based on my perspective of 18 years old in this country (Trinidad). The United States, Argentina or other country who has fought battles and wars in the past can agree with what you said (and I do) but in this country people do not know what it is like to fight for independence, battle or anything like that, therefore 18 years old and people in general are EXTREMELY laid back, I teach these kids on a daily basis...most of them are repeaters and they cannot even spell the simplest words. You cannot hold a normal conversation with them either, all they are studying and talking is about drinking, partying and watching porn. This is a very depressed society in every aspect and the youth is no exeption, therefore that's why I think 18 years old (in this country) should not allow to vote.
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 1089 100%