The argument of whether or not to raise or lower the age limit for the right to vote has raised many speculations as to how it would affect the economy. There are pros and cons to both sides of the argument, but any decisions made by the powers that be, more than likely, will have an adverse effect on today’s society if placed in the hands of the younger generation. Older voters benefit in having more understanding as it relates to the intentions and qualifications of each candidate running for office. In 1971, the voting age was lowered to eighteen, since then; there has been a decrease in the voting polls between the ages 21-27. If there is the possibility of the voting poles increasing due to lowering the age limit, then lowering the voting age to 17 is a better way of making sure that voters are more aware and equipped in making sound decisions as opposed to raising the age limit. In the past, soldiers drafted and/or enlisted at eighteen experienced life altering changes within the military, but soldiers at that age were not put into a position of authority and needed guidance. Experienced and educated military personnel had the authority to counsel, manage, and make tough decisions. Younger soldiers given directives were not able to question whether the assignment was right or wrong, but to see the job through. Another factor is that young adults (18-20) are driven by their emotions and are not fully capable of making sound decisions on their own. Though age
Have you ever wondered if the voting age could be lowered? Well there is a huge Controversy on it. Why? Because many young adults, or teenagers, live and have the same responsibility as an adult would .In many peoples opinion, it should be lowered .Many people think the same way, young voices matter.
British dramatist Shakespeare once said that there are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people’s eyes. Through the ages, controversies about voting age have not quieted down, and there are more and more different opinions about voting age like it should increase to 21, or it should decrease to 17 or 16, even 13. Like a coin has two sides, each opinion has both advantages and disadvantages. In my opinion, I prefer the voting age to be 18 in the United States. Teenagers who are 18 years old are independent enough to make their own decisions, and they should have the vote right as other adults do.
Proponents of a lowered voting age were quick to point out the irony that these young people were old enough to go to war but not old enough to elect the people drafting them. Congress proposed the 26th Amendment in response to immense pressure from angry, anti-war protesters. And, according to the National Constitution Center, the 26th Amendment was ratified in less than four months in what was and continues to be “the shortest ratification period of any constitutional amendment” (n.d.). Now, one would think that the record-breaking ratification of an expansion of voting rights would inspire young people to flock to the polls. Unfortunately, the opposite is true.
Imagine a time where teenagers are allowed to vote on important positions or issues that could possibly define our nation’s future. The average teenager may seem responsible, but would they be able to handle the responsibility of deciding our nation’s fate in the world as well as their own. In the article, “ Takoma Park 16-year-old savors his history making moment at the polls,” Annys Shin, who writes in depth about the historical event as well as shares valued opinions of those who participated in the making of this event, exclaims that the, “ Montgomery County community [was] the nation’s first to lower the voting age from 18 to 16.” This seems to be a test to determine if the nation should lower the voting age completely. However, this test shows varying results, but majority seem to shed some light on the fact that teenagers simply should not take part in voting. The average teenagers seem too young to be mature about issues, are uninterested in what major decisions are made by the government, and are simply being used by their parentals for an extra person support their own beliefs.
Young adult voting in the US was at 16% in 2014. Now, about 60% of all eligible voters turn out for presidential elections and even less for other elections. If the voting age were raised then, there would be even fewer people voting in elections. For this and more, I do not believe that the voting age should be raised to 21.
In the article “Takoma Park 16-year-old Savors his History-Making Moment at the Polls,” written by Annys Shin, the author focuses on whether or not lowering the voting age from 18 is a good idea towards politics, by looking at the benefits and the disadvantages of both sides. In 2013, the city of Takoma Park was the first to lower the voting age to 16 and change the 26th Amendment in their municipal. Ben Miller and other 16- and 17-year-olds were capable of stepping into a booth and casting their vote at the Takoma Park Community Center. Allowing this age group to cast a vote will lead more teenagers to vote than their older peers, it will get them into the habit of voting for the rest of their lives, and it will also increase their personal
Franklin. The theory proposed in this article is “elections that do not stimulate high turnout among young adults leave a ‘footprint’ of low turnout in the age structure of the electorate” (Franklin, 2004). The methodology involved examine the voting patterns of 22 countries that have held elections continuously since 1945. This number total 356 elections and provides a strong pool of data to draw conclusions from. The results brought forth a number of different variables that impact voter turnout. Such variables are the frequency at which elections are held - the closer together equates to a decrease in turnout, to the impact of lowering the eligible voting age. Interesting any country that lowered the voting age can expect to see a drop of 3.8% in a span of 40 years (Franklin, 2004). Additionally the analysis discovered that the Baby Boomers, which earlier were stated to be 20% more active voters in Canada, are 7% less likely to vote globally than their parenting generation. The conclusion for this article is that there is a reduction in the competitive nature of elections (less likely to bring about policy changes), and a decrease in the age when voters become eligible. Both of these declines generate an environment where the younger
In my opinion, I feel as though the voting age should stay at 18 and not be changed to 21. One of the reasons why the voting age should stay at 18 is because regardless of your age everyone's voice and opinion should be heard and everyone deserves an opportunity to be able to vote. Also if the voting age were to be increased to 21, the participation rate for voting would decrease significantly. Everybody says how important it is to vote so why should 18,19 and 20-year-olds not be included? If the voting age was raised, it would make things worse, and it wouldn't be right for them to not take part in voting for our political future. Many people may underestimate the younger age groups and may not see them as mature enough to take part in voting.
US society is made up of dozens of rules for kids and teens, providing age limits for a long list of activities, including drinking alcohol and driving a car. The voting age is one of these age limits, and has been a topic of debate for many years. The anonymous author(s) from The Economist believe that lowering the voting age to 16 would be beneficial in increasing the low percentage of under-25 voters, as well as boosting political activity throughout their lives. They attempt to convince the readers of The Economist that the voting age should be lowered, using elevated diction, a rhetorical question, and facts to back up their claims, creating an overall scholarly tone.
¨by the time you are 16 you can drive pay taxes and in some states be held responsible for adult crimes, so shouldn't you be allowed to vote? (smith,6)¨. the first reason this is good is because it would increase the amount of voters. this is true because the article says ¨ 16 and 17 year olds are at a prime age to vote because they are still at school in their homes and have roots in their communities but when they turn 18 and go off to college they are more focused on school and not voting and politics. the second reason this is good is because it is giving to presidents a better chance of winning. today's youth live under the laws they pay taxes and they can be charged for adult crimes, so they should also have the right to vote.
It’s also thought that lowering the limit will encourage civic-mindedness at an earlier age and establish an interest in the political system, which will be continued throughout a person’s life.Scotland’s positive experience of including 16- and 17-year-olds in the 2014 independence referendum led to the lowering of the voting age for local and Holyrood elections.
The United States faces many ethical issues with the age of enlistment in the military as time passes with each generation. Most American citizens do not agree with some the laws the government sets in place. People often argue that the majority of the time, the government is looking out for what is best for the country instead of the people. Critics consistently claim that the military should raise the age of enlisting for military service until 21. Parents and adults believe that the military should should raise the age requirement because parents believe that young adolescents are not ready for join military service at such a young age. Studies suggest that most teenagers’ minds do not completely develop until they are in their 20’s. Changing the age of enlistment would protect teenagers and increase the military’s capabilities.
Today I will be writing about why I believe the voting age should be lowered. People all over the US have had very mixed feelings about this law. Many people disagree, and state that the voting age should actually be higher than it is now. Others strongly disagree and think it should be lowered, I am one of those other people. No matter how you feel about this, as an American, as a person, you have the right to an opinion. Many people state that allowing people under the age of 16 to vote would lower the voting rate, I politely disagree. Allowing even more people to vote is not going to lower the rate of voters. It is only logical, in my opinion, that it would increase
Do you want to vote. Well if you say no after reading this you might just think otherwise. In this essay it will say all of the reasons why the voting age should be lowered to 16. Critics would say that people not old enough will not make the best decisions, well in this essay it will say all of the reasons why the voting age should be lowered to 16. The reasons are they don’t want to, voting is unfair, and they can teach about voting in high school.
The author is clearly for this new idea of lowering the voting age to 16. Laurence Steinberg uses psychology to back up his claims. This is ethos because the author of this article is a professor of psychology and one of the world's leading experts on adolescence. Therefore, he knows how the brain and thought