AIBU to think children should get a vote?

[Bumpitybumper]

I was thinking about democracy and voting in general and was wondering what people would think about allocating a vote to everyone irrespective of their age. Obviously those who were under a certain age (16/18?) would rely on their parents to make an informed decision about who to vote for on their behalf but this would surely mean that everyone's interests are better represented in a vote? My arguments are:

1. If you are a single parent with 5 children under the age of 18 then your family of 6 would currently only have one vote to cast. Your influence over the end result would be the same as any other individual despite the fact that you are effectively representing 6 people's interests.
2. Parents who vote may genuinely think that one party/result is best for them but another party/result may offer better policies for their children. The current system requires parents to set aside and compromise on individual preferences in order to effectively cast a "family" vote.
3. It is impossible to combat the impact of the "grey" vote if children and teenagers aren't properly represented. The current distribution of votes does not represent the distribution of the population and is skewed heavily in favour of older generations and therefore their interests.

I'm not an expert on this so would be interested in other views on this.

Let's guess op you are a remoaner share looking for a way to overturn a democratic decision.yawn.get over it

You seem to assume that adult's are incapable of divorcing their own interests and preferences from their child's. I do agree that this would be an issue but I also think things like power of attorney recognise that it is possible for an adult to act in the best interests of another.

That’s exactly why your idea is so stupid.

If someone is a UKIP voter, then they’re going to be convinced that UKIP is the best for the future of the country and for their children too.

They’re not going to vote UKIP themselves, and then think, hmm, better give Olivia’s vote to the Green Party because of climate change.

If they cared about climate change, they’d vote Green themselves.

Well - my parents are homophobic racist insular sexists - they would (and have - I'm abroad ) voted against my rights - and I think that even as a young teenager I had very different views from them.

I don't think they should get my vote - not now - not yesterday - not ever.

I think it's a slippery slope.

What happens when someone is declared mentally inept (sorry don't know the right term in English) to vote - do their guardians then get a vote for them?

What about if they have been declared I really don't know how to phrase this so I'm sorry if anyone is offended mentally inept and not allowed because of something considered as madness in their country i.e homosexuality etc etc and that their parents supported the measure to have them declared inept - do their parents or next of kin get to vote against progressive reform that would actually have them recognized as apt and fully sain of mind ?

I hope you earn a lot of money OP - to have 5 children you must be. Especially to have such an entitled attitude.

They cannot objectively decide what is in another person’s best interests.

Lol no. Every single thing about that is ridiculous.

Hence to appeal to the "grey vote" the parties offer improved pensions and bus passes for over 65s rather than improved childcare.
Improved childcare!!!! We had very little childcare when my DC were young. It was difficult to find and not funded by the Govt at all.
When I was younger retirement age was 60 but they changed goalposts on us mid-career so it is now 67 (not 65) and we have all had to readjust our thoughts on working and retiring.
I know that your generation like to make out that babyboomers have it cushy at the expense of younger generations but that is far from the truth.

@tiredgirly
Not left wing and not a remainer thanks!

I was just musing about ways that children and young people can be bettee represented in the democratic process. Unless you think that all generations share identical concerns and issues then I assume this is something we presumably all's houkd be interested in?

@Gromance02
I don't have 5 children. I don't mind people disagreeing with me but please read the thread properly

Why the jeff should my interests as a woman unable to have children be under represented forevermore?

I was just musing about ways that children and young people can be bettee represented in the democratic process.

They are represented by their parents until they reach an age to make their own decission.

@Polenta
I agree this would be hard to overcome.

Neville Shute explored something similar in his book 'In the Wet'. He proposed a multiple vote system, where citizens would get more votes (or a say in society) by doing things society deemed worthwhile.
He suggested, everyone gets a basic vote. Then:
An extra vote for education
being in the armed forces,
earning one's living overseas for two years,
raising two children to the age of 14 without divorcing
being an official of a Christian church,
having a high earned income.
The seventh vote is only given at the Queen's discretion

Obviously the problem with this is that different people see different things as being of value to society, and different governments may feel the same. Some may think paying more tax should give more of a say, others more children.

@FenellaMaxwellsPony a sort of Gillick competence for voting? You get my vote (assuming I get one )

I'm completely against compulsory voting. Frankly I don't trust the votes of people who can't be bothered to vote or inform themselves of politics at the most basic level.

And if younger people want to counteract the 'grey vote' they should do what older people tend to do which is vote.

@SillySallySingsSongs
They are represented by their parents until they reach an age to make their own decission
People seem to want it both ways

1. Children should be allocated a vote as it would have to be cast by their parent/guardian who wouldn't be able to divorce their own selfish interests from their child's. So some people are suggesting parents get multiple votes which wouldn't be fair.

1. Children don't need to be allocated a vote as their parents are already voting to reflect their interests.

I was just musing about ways that children and young people can be bettee represented in the democratic process.

For a young person who has political opinions which differ from their parents', your system is worse than having no vote. It isn't better representation.

So you could vote one way for yourself, and proxy vote for another party for your children. Oh. Hang on, that isn't what you mean.

Besides, anyone with parental responsibility would be able to vote on ' behalf' of their children. What happens if there is a disagreement? The more you think it through, the stupider it seems.

@ACatsNoHelpWithThat
Why the jeff should my interests as a woman unable to have children be under represented forevermore?
Why should children's interest be not represented at all? There is currently no obligation for anyone to consider children as part of the voting process

@Theyprobablywill
So you could vote one way for yourself, and proxy vote for another party for your children. Oh. Hang on, that isn't what you mean
That is what I mean, assuming that you as an adult had different interests to your child. I agree that it would be difficult to implement but the one person, one vote concept surely isn't that controversial? We are all living beings that will be impacted by these policies.

Why should children's interest be not represented at all? There is currently no obligation for anyone to consider children as part of the voting process

There is no obligation to consider anyones interest as part of the voting process.

Focus on getting everyone eligible to vote rather this ridiculous idea.

LOL!
Come on OP! Really really REALLY think about it.

@BunsOfAnarchy
I assure you I am!

I never at anytime said that this would definitely work but I am interested to see the range of responses and how some people are absolutely opposed to the concept that children should be entitled to a vote irrespective of whether you could police the conflict of interest element from parents.

So you agree it is so open to abuse that it should never be implemented?

I’m all for raising the voting age to 25 actually, so no.