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.

It sickens me that the rise in anti semetism is being blamed on any other body other than where the guilt truly lies. We all know where it's coming from. The NF/BNP have been around for years without a rise in anti semitic abuse.

It's obvious why the left are trying to make political hay out of it though. I get why you're trying it on.

Where does the guilt truly lie?

You mean like a certain military force in the Middle East currently?

Irrelevant.

It won't be with the far right. There may be some anti semites in the far right but they haven't kicked off since October 7th. Or organised anti semitic hate marches through London.

Depends how many Jewish teachers there are and the proportion of their students who are antisemitic doesn't it?

The wider problem is in society and thats voters far older than 16/17.

Reform is attracting over 34% of the vote in polling, their leader was/is a fascist, according to teachers at Dulwich College where he was a pupil.

His Brexit poster in 2016 was a direct copy of one Hitler used against immigration.

Yet thats all good according to many on here.

Don't be shy, just say who you think are to blame

Nigel Farage was left wing at school.

You're very transparent.

I don’t think most adults have an understanding of “a broad range of issues “.

I invite the thread to ponder what the late Janey Godley may have said in response to that.

I imagine it would have gone "Left wing or right wing, he's still a ...."

We need a laugh at this point, surely ?

But you do. Presumably.

Why do you think you are cleverer than "most adults"?

That's for sure!!

Ok..here's one for you 🤣

Not according to former staff and pupils, look it up.

It’s likely not, I’d say you were correct. Antisemitism has seen an increase in many countries and educational places not just here since October 7th. Young people might still vote for Reform but that’s likely to be separate to antisemitism.

But there are vast, vast swathes of adults who are politically illiterate too. Why should they hold all the power?

It seems you need parental consent to join armed forces under 18 now. You certainly can’t get married under 18 without parental permission in England at least.

this would have made more sense when we had people leaving school at 16, working being able to buy a packet of cigarettes etc.

At a time we have extended adolescence with education until 18, if seems illogical at best, to me at least.

How on EARTH is being able to vote a risk to safeguarding??! 🤯

Probably best he didn’t have the vote when he was a child then.

Why would anyone think they shouldn't? 🫣

In Scotland you can.

I find this preposterous.

9/11 happened the day following my 16th birthday. Me and my peers were very interested in what followed and the news and had strong opinions on the war that followed (included marching in the ‘Stop the War’ rally).

As a teacher I see lots of 16 and 17 year olds and they’re very often more switched on than adults that I know. You’re talking about 16 year olds like they’re about 7 or 8.

I think because children are more vulnerable to manipulation. For example, decriminalisation of cannabis is very popular with the under 18’s but the fact that due to mass immigration they’re likely to be living in shared houses until they’re in their 40s and not receive a state pension barely registers. They’ll vote for the party that offers to legalise pot rather than the possibility of ever having a half decent life.

I think because children are more vulnerable to manipulation. For example, decriminalisation of cannabis is very popular with the under 18’s but the fact that due to mass immigration they’re likely to be living in shared houses until they’re in their 40s and not receive a state pension barely registers. They’ll vote for the party that offers to legalise pot rather than the possibility of ever having a half decent life.

Well, that is just what you think. It's an unbelievable load of bollocks to conflate the legalisation of cannabis with mass immigration and housing. It's an unbelievable load of bollocks to pretend to know what young people's priorities are. And 16 and 17 year olds are not just children - they have rights and responsibilities that children do not have.

Young people may well favour the legalisation of cannabis. There is evidence from countries which have done so that it is a positive thing to do in terms of reducing crime, freeing up police time and preventing serious health consequences because there is quality control. There are many adults who would also support legalisation, as long as it comes with a framework for managing addiction. However, pretending young people would be single issue voters is doing them a disservice.

Your attitude is typical of so many on these threads, people who look down on the young with contempt.

Your 14yo child will be required to register to vote (as already happens in Scotland and Wales). Even if they tick the box to be excluded from the full register, all their details are available to gov departments, local authorities, financial institutions, and any potential politicians. That's hundreds of thousands of people with access to your child's details and there will be a significant number of pervs amongst them. Want a list of 14-15yo girls in a certain area then just stand for election.