What Should the Voting Age Be?

[notyoueither]

So the capabilities of people under 18 are largely shaped by our treatment of them. Hense they should be capable of the vote before 18, and if getting them active politically earlier would lead to being more active later, that would be the best thing for our political system.

Tada.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by GePap


So what? Back in the 50's and 60's in the US the voting age in many places was 21.

And in the 1850's, blacks and women couldn't vote. Your point?

[asleepathewheel]

Originally posted by OzzyKP
but just to demonstrate the point that most of the people here really don't have honest, unbiased views of youth.

You would rather everyone be biased towards your point of view, right?

I asked early in the thread for something beyond rhetoric, and so far I have seen nothing. In order to challenge the status quo, you need more than arguing generalizations against generalizations. I need statistics.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by GePap
The law allows 16 year olds to do many thing that few if any 16 year olds do anymore. Very few people get married at 16, they certainly do NOT join the military at that age in any great amount, few quit school permanently and having a bank account is not some immense achievement. Neither are driving or shooting for that matter.

Voting is the most important right of a citizen. You are not a full citizen until you are 18. Even if you are married, have kids, whatever. Voting is about making decisions not just about your life, but the acitons of the polity.

If you are an idiot and get married at a young age and it goes badly, well, tough luck moron, but voting means you are part of the decision making of the polity. Hence the difference, and hence why only Citizens are allowed to vote.

If it should be the guideline, why aren't electors only those capable of demonstrating good decision making?

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by asleepathewheel


You would rather everyone be biased towards your point of view, right?

I asked early in the thread for something beyond rhetoric, and so far I have seen nothing. In order to challenge the status quo, you need more than arguing generalizations against generalizations. I need statistics.

Would increased electoral participation be a good thing?

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by notyoueither
So the capabilities of people under 18 are largely shaped by our treatment of them. Hense they should be capable of the vote before 18, and if getting them active politically earlier would lead to being more active later, that would be the best thing for our political system.

Tada.

You probably know what you wanted to say, but the message doesn't get through.

Tendency today isn't to mature children to grown up life early - quite contrary.

[notyoueither]

Is the biggest concern the good of our political system(s), or not?

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by notyoueither


Would increased electoral participation be a good thing?

In the us it wouldn't matter - i don't know about canada.

[asleepathewheel]

Originally posted by notyoueither
Would increased electoral participation be a good thing?

I agree that an increased level of participation by eligible voters is needed.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by BlackCat

In the us it wouldn't matter - i don't know about canada.

It is generally acknowledged that declining voting rates are a problem in Canada. How about Denmark?

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by asleepathewheel

I agree that an increased level of participation by eligible voters is needed.

If getting people into voting while they are in school would lead to higher turn out, then that would be the best thing, right?

[BlackCat]

Not too serious - typical rates is in the range of 75-85 %

[GePap]

Originally posted by notyoueither


And in the 1850's, blacks and women couldn't vote. Your point?

If youths have been "infantelized" in the last 40 years, why was the voting age lowered?

Just pointing out an inconsistency in your statements.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by BlackCat
Not too serious - typical rates is in the range of 75-85 %

How about Germany? Why have they dipped their toe into the water by allowing 16 yearolds to vote in local elections?

[GePap]

Originally posted by notyoueither


If it should be the guideline, why aren't electors only those capable of demonstrating good decision making?

Because we as a society believes that all adult members of the polity who meet certain guidelines, mainly about place of birth, age, and criminal background, should be given the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and the age at which the full rights of citizenship are granted has been set at 18. From the poll its obvious that is what the clear majority of the polity believes to be the right age.