Why would anyone think 16 year-olds should be allowed to vote?

[MsAmerica]

Be honest - think back to when you were 16. Did you have an understanding of a broad range of issues? Did you pay serious attention to national news? Okay, even many adults may lapse on the score, but still, it seems crazy to me.

In the U.S., voting age had been 21 and the only reason it was lowered to 18 was that teens were being drafted to fight in Vietnam, and it was felt as unfair for them to have no say.

You can join the armed forces at 16 so yes, it’s fair.

You can get married, get a job (albeit an apprenticeship or similar) so they should be able to vote.

I asked my 17 year old what she thought.
"oh god society is doomed"
😂

I was very political at the age of 16, I watched the news everyday and read books and newspapers on what was happening around the world. I also grew up in a political household, we spoke about it most days. I would definitely have wanted to vote at 16.

Because they will be living with the consequences of the decisions the politicians make? And they will have to bear the cost of the neglect of the planet that is being committed for longer than any other voters.

Of course they should have a say.

Similar - I went to a girls grammar and we were hugely politically literate at that age. We marched about the Iraq war, wrote letters to MPs and those of us who studied history for ALevel were really involved in current affairs with a strong understanding of political theory. In comparison I now feel quite rusty!

You can't get married at 16 or 17 now even with parental consent, it's 18.

Ha! I love that!

I absolutely think 16 year olds should have the vote. Look at Brexit. We screwed ut up for the next generation.

I absolutely think they deserve to vote. Some 16 year olds as pp have said are incredibly switched on and politically aware. I also feel they will be the ones who bear the consequences of the voting outcome compared to some of the population that is much, much older. They have every right.

In Scotland you still can.

You seem to be missing the point. It's not about allowing the rarity of particularly smart and engaged kids the right to vote. Surely, you must know that you are the exception, not the rule.

It's gerrymandering

In England and Wales it's 18 to get married. Scotland and NI it's 16 with parental consent, but Scotland are looking to increase to 18. Unless you need parental consent to vote that's not the same thing.

You can also hand your notice in as long as you're under 18 and leave the army. You aren't tied in for 4 years like you are as an adult, they obviously think minors shouldn't be able to make such long-lasting decisions. You also can't be deployed as a minor. Joining the army as a 16 year old doesn't have to have any long-lasting consequences.

No idea why 16-17 year olds should be able to vote.

On the news they always roll out the articulate engaged A level students.

Not the non politics engaged.
Nor those doing level 1 or 2 courses.

I don't think that enough 16&17 yos have enough life experience to justify this.

I just answered that basic idea. Sure, there are "some." There are "some" people who can be responsible gun owners. But should everyone be allowed to own guns with no restrictions? It's silly to imagine policy should be based on sterling exceptions to the general rule.

I am struggling with this when there is so much to keep children as such until 18.
you can’t get married, you have to be in an apprenticeship or education until 18, parents are still responsible for young people until 18 under various laws.
It will move England and wales to Scotland’s voting age but there is still disparity with the other legislation around safeguarding.

you can’t buy alcohol until you are 18, but you can vote.
very conflicted on how this undermines the principles of safeguarding

My sons (14 and 17) have both been on their school parliament, my eldest did his work experience in the constituency office in year 10 and both want to go into politics.

The year 11s who have just left my school- 90% would be mature enough to make a rational choice in an election. I’m not sure the adult population is that discerning!

Absolutely let them vote!

No one in their right mind!!

I think it’s a great idea as long as it comes with education. Though many will never vote at 16 or 17.

Having been at uni with people 18-21 who had no clue how or why to vote the best thing we can do is include voting education for all in school and the best way to make that relevant is to lower the age to 16.

A lot of 16-year-olds think deeply about important political issues including climate change, social justice, employment, housing and for young girls women’s rights and safety. That is much more than many adults think about when casting their votes. Brexit is a prime example of uninformed, unthinking adults being let loose with a vote. Studies appear to be showing that a high percentage of those who voted leave now regret it ‘because they were lied to’. They clearly didn’t educate themselves, they just accepted the hype of the leave campaign. Kids in school approaching 16, will no doubt be informed about the history of political parties, how they are funded etc. very soon they could become the most politically informed generation of all.

It was in Labour’s manifesto…

Been voting for AMs in Wales for years

It's ridiculous, and clearly only happening as Labour believe it will gain them more votes. 16 is not old enough.

I was just reading an article on it which suggests a key reason is 16-17 year-olds are more likely to turn out to vote because the social structure they are in (home / school etc) is more conducive to supporting them to vote, whereas many 18-19 year-olds have just left home and are less likely to be in an environment which would encourage them to go and cast a vote. If you vote at the first opportunity, you are more likely to continue to vote thereafter. This is important for democratic engagement and legitimacy given low turnouts especially among young generations.

Is that a comp? I'm surprised 90% would be mature and knowledgeable enough.