Should 16 year olds have the right to vote?

I think if you're old enough to legally conceive children and create life then it seems stupid that you're too irresponsible to vote. There are politically engaged 15 year olds and there are people clueless about politics in their 40s voting (this isn't saying that people should vote starting at anyage).

there should. E more effort to teach children politics, specifically on ideology of parties.

Reply 2

Original post by CharmingCat

In my opinion, being given the chance to make your voice heard at a young age will hopefully encourage you to engage in politics as you get older, instead of ignoring it. Too many people criticise 16 and 17 year olds, believing that our youth prevents us from making serious decisions, but we are being deprived of a golden opportunity - and changing the country.

Enough on my thoughts. :smile:

What do you think?

Yes, but only because I am 16.

Please add a poll :biggrin:

EDIT: Thanks for adding one.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 3

Simes

16

Given much of what I read on here, I'm not sure raising it to 21 would be enough. :rolleyes:

Reply 4

tim_123

16

I concur with the above. If tsr is anything to go by I definately don't think 16 year olds should vote.

Just because you can legally have kids at 16 doesn't mean it's a good idea

Reply 5

Original post by Simes

Given much of what I read on here, I'm not sure raising it to 21 would be enough. :rolleyes:

Generally people with bigoted beliefs tend to be more vocal on TSR which may be why.

Reply 6

No. I don't see any sense in the argument that it will encourage young people to engage in politics - why would it? The fact that adults can vote doesn't seem to have stopped a mass disengagement from politics - in the last election only 65% of the electorate bothered to vote at all. I also don't believe that most 16-year-olds are intellectually mature enough to understand key issues and come to balanced conclusions about them. The current limit is perfectly sensible since it is the age of adulthood; we have more important policies to be devising and implementing.

Reply 7

Feraligatr

20

I think its not fair that we don't have a political voice to change our education.

Recently reforms in education haven't been so great

Reply 8

Original post by Birkenhead

No. I don't see any sense in the argument that it will encourage young people to engage in politics - why would it? The fact that adults can vote doesn't seem to have stopped a mass disengagement from politics - in the last election only 65% of the electorate bothered to vote at all. I also don't believe that most 16-year-olds are intellectually mature enough to understand key issues and come to balanced conclusions about them. The current limit is perfectly sensible since it is the age of adulthood; we have more important policies to be devising and implementing.

Would you have said the same about the Scotland referendum? (just wondering).

Reply 9

Original post by flibber

Would you have said the same about the Scotland referendum? (just wondering).

I don't understand what you're asking.

Reply 10

Original post by Birkenhead

I don't understand what you're asking.

I mean in the Scotland referendum, 16 and 17 year olds were allowed to vote. Would you have argued that they shouldn't have been allowed to vote?

Reply 11

Quady

20

Original post by Birkenhead

I don't understand what you're asking.

Well what did you think of its use in the referendum and its effect on the voters in question?

Reply 12

Original post by flibber

I mean in the Scotland referendum, 16 and 17 year olds were allowed to vote. Would you have argued that they shouldn't have been allowed to vote?

I think that was appropriate because it was a single political issue and there was a great deal of media coverage featuring the leaders of the two campaigns and explaining the issues etc. so they will have been able to make as informed a decision as any adult. This in addition to the fact that it was an issue of huge significance for their country and they are its future generation.

Reply 13

AstroNandos

21

Depends. With 16 year olds now, no they shouldn't be able to vote. The vast majority of 16 year olds I see haven't got a clue about politics and parties (but I guess the same could be said about some adults, but I think to a lesser extent)

If we were taught about politics and issues in Britain today instead of those pointless dance lessons(why?!?!?!), then sure, we should get to vote. I see 16 year olds now seeing green energy and global warming as big an issue as immigration thanks to being told about it non-stop in school, so will go to vote greens, despite not looking into any other policies, issues or solutions.

This is from my experience with the rest of my generation

Reply 14

Original post by Birkenhead

I think that was appropriate because it was a single political issue and there was a great deal of media coverage featuring the leaders of the two campaigns and explaining the issues etc. so they will have been able to make as informed a decision as any adult. This in addition to the fact that it was an issue of huge significance for their country and they are its future generation.

Then would you say that 16 and 17 years old should be able to vote if there were a referendum directly concerning them (e.g. education- I know you'd never actually get one of them)?

Reply 15

Original post by flibber

Then would you say that 16 and 17 years old should be able to vote if there were a referendum directly concerning them (e.g. education- I know you'd never actually get one of them)?

It would depend on what the issue was and the individual circumstances surrounding it, but as I say I would support some instances like the Scottish referendum.

Reply 16

Original post by Birkenhead

It would depend on what the issue was and the individual circumstances surrounding it, but as I say I would support some instances like the Scottish referendum.

Would you say that most 16 years olds are naturally immature, or would you let them vote if AstroNandos' suggestion above was implemented?

Reply 17