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.

I know loads of intelligent 16 year olds who are interested in politics and society. They would vote. Why are people thinking teenagers today are anything like how you were decades ago?!?

Same here.

Watched news everyday, was doing politics/modern studies/history A levels. And had already joined a political party. By 17 I was protesting by marching the poll tax.

I also worked full time.

Yes obviously I should have been allowed to vote. As should all of that age group whether political or not.

Ridiculous that people on here are saying too young/too stupid/too clueless - bet they’re not statistically lesser informed/lesser intelligent than the average 20 year old.

just ageism in its many forms.

Yes, I think that swayed it for me; the consequences of that decision will have greater ramifications for the younger generation than for those of my years (50s) or many of the older ranks who swayed the vote.

I was very politically aware at 16.
I first voted in a GE at 18.
It'll mean the end of the tory party - which is a good thing imo 😁

Young people are typically far less engaged in politics than they used to be. Much of this is because they don't feel the messages relate to them, or that decisions which adversely affect them are being made by older generations. They are the future. They are going to be affected by government actions for far longer than anyone else on this earth.

By that reasoning we should allow toddlers to vote instead of pensioners.

Be honest - think back to when you were 16. Did you have an understanding of a broad range of issues?

How many adults have an understanding of a broad range of issues?

I think it is a good idea, as the demographic's are increasingly weighted towards an aging population,

We already have more over 65s than under 15s.

Just look at all the threads on MN where 16/17 yos aren't thought capable of being home alone, catching a train alone, keeping their rooms in a decent state, being civil to their parents, or even not being abusive to their parents...

And all the adults who can't answer a door or park their cars,...

I would have been fine. DS could have voted at 10 and been sensible. Half the kids I teach will make sensible, informed decisions. As for the other half … I despair. Mind you that’s the same for over 16 too!

I'm 67 years old, and I worry whether 90% of the voting population should be allowed to vote. Right now, I think I'd be fine with 5 year olds voting. Right now I think I'd be fine with 5 year olds in Parliament. They couldn't possibly make more of a mess of it than the current lot (and I mean all of them)/

Agree

People who are claiming that teens are really aware of political issues have never had to do a weekly current affairs quiz with them

Surely that says more about your school
or the teaching there?

No, they shouldn’t be allowed to vote. They are too inexperienced. They are still children who deserve our protection. They aren’t adults no matter how precocious and clever they are.

Everyone who likes this because they think it will bolster a vote for the left should be cautious. GenZ is more conservative than previous generations were at that age.

In fact many are frankly stupid.

yep, unfortunately stupidly is not confined to one age group.

Turning 18 doesn’t give you a sudden interest in politics! There are plenty of 16 year olds who are interested and plenty who are not!

I was the wrong side of the 1997 election (August birth) and my god we were interested and really turned on the one Tory supporter!

the 2029 election has the potential to be like that one where the young care it is there future.

All the feckless, irresponsible, immature 16/17 year olds everyone is worried about, probably won’t be bothered to turn out and vote anyway. Just like all the feckless, irresponsible. immature over 18s! We should be ashamed of our turnout figures. Voting should be compulsory, like it is in Australia.

They will end up with huge government borrowings and a crashed economy if they don’t understand basic economics though

Look at the state of our debt and economy now with no "children" voting 🤔

Everyone who likes this because they think it will bolster a vote for the left should be cautious.

I think young people should be more engaged in politics and hopefully this will encourage it. For me it's not about them voting for a particular party.

I think most people who are political now, were probably even more political at 16. You're never more opinionated or more self righteous and principled than you are at 16. There are plenty of 40 year old idiots who haven't got a fucking clue who the PM is.

I'm undecided about lowering the voting age because I do feel like having some life experience is important... I'd have let them vote on Brexit though.

Unlike most things which can be dealt with again in five years, they're going to be dealing with the consequences of something that will affect them the longest and hardest and it was decided by people who it really doesn't affect anymore. People who were very unlikely to be suddenly taking up the option of free movement themselves.

I think it’s a bad idea, I have a teen dd and definitely don’t think she had any ideas re politics at 16.

18 seems more sensible imo.

Yes, and also current affairs isn't the same as understanding political issues either.

Being aware that a libdem got caught with his pants down at the Christmas party isn't the same as having an opinion on misogyny on the Internet, how schools are being affected by cutbacks or the environment. Those are ongoing issues, I wouldn't class them as "current affairs" and I think all young people will have an opinion one way or another on them.

Yes, and also current affairs isn't the same as understanding political issues either.

Good point

I had a huge interest in politics from starting secondary school and I've thought for over 40 years that 16 year olds should be allowed to vote. I was working and paying my taxes but wasn't allowed to vote. That isn't right. I heard a mature person on LBC saying "the government should fine the French £500,000 for every illegal immigrant on boats.". This moron gets to vote.

This, my MIL can vote and shouldn’t be allowed to as she listens to her ill informed friends, has no critical thinking and can’t use the internet so can’t see a broad range of ideas. She spouts utter garbage but she’s allowed to vote.