What Should the Voting Age Be?

[notyoueither]

It's a lot lower than that in Canada, btw. Mid 60's IIRC, and on a downward trend.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by GePap

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.

Similar poll in a gentlemen's club in 1900 about women voting?

The argument that 'that's the way it is right now' is pretty weak.

[asleepathewheel]

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

It is better to have a more politically active population that what is currently around, yes. I would like to see studies that show that your hypothesis is correct. that would change my mind on this, I think.

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by notyoueither


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

If the vote casted is based upon "my peers says this is the hot trend", it would be bad, if based upon "I have thought about it and this is my opinion", then it would be good.

[asleepathewheel]

Originally posted by notyoueither


Similar poll in a gentlemen's club in 1900 about women voting?

The argument that 'that's the way it is right now' is pretty weak.

except, that you must admit the line must be drawn somewhere, at some point, and that will be no different than this one, which according to Ozzy and you is completely arbitrary.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by GePap


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

Just pointing out an inconsistency in your statements.

Those under 18 infantalised, GePap, not those over.

If anything, the fact that 18 has not always been the right age, and that it has been admitted in the past that those at lower ages then should be enfranchised speaks for Ozzy's position.

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by notyoueither


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

Haven't the faintest idea - lets hope a german joins the debate

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by asleepathewheel


It is better to have a more politically active population that what is currently around, yes. I would like to see studies that show that your hypothesis is correct. that would change my mind on this, I think.

Ozzy posted some stats in the other thread.

People 16 and 17 participated at higher rates than those 18 to 30 when given a chance.

The theory part is that they will continue to particpate at higher rates later. I think it might be worth a shot. Definitely worth a closer look.

[asleepathewheel]

Originally posted by BlackCat


If the vote casted is based upon "my peers says this is the hot trend", it would be bad, if based upon "I have thought about it and this is my opinion", then it would be good.

Perhaps loweing the age for the military to 16 (US) would lead to wiser voting decisions by 16 year olds.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by asleepathewheel

except, that you must admit the line must be drawn somewhere, at some point, and that will be no different than this one, which according to Ozzy and you is completely arbitrary.

Of course it's arbitrary, and it will continue to be arbitrary, but it should be arbitrary to the benefit of our political system(s).

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by asleepathewheel

Perhaps loweing the age for the military to 16 (US) would lead to wiser voting decisions by 16 year olds.

I don't see ability to think for one's-self to be a big problem. Plenty of 'adults' as currently defined have a hard time thinking for themselves, and I've seen many under 18 who are fully capable of independent thinking.

[GePap]

Originally posted by notyoueither


Those under 18 infantalised, GePap, not those over.

If anything, the fact that 18 has not always been the right age, and that it has been admitted in the past that those at lower ages then should be enfranchised speaks for Ozzy's position.

It hardly does. The movement to get the age lowered to 18 stemmed from the fact that at 18 young men could get drafted and sent to war. While some 16 year old according to very old laws not changed in a long time might voluntarilly join the military, at 18 the state could compel you under ciminal penalty unless you had a religious reason, to serve in the military, a basic duty of citizenship.

The arguement for lowering the age to 18 then was that it was wrong for 18 through 20 year olds to bear the gravest of the responsibilities of citizenship without having the greatest right of citizenship.

The debate was never one of cognitive abilities, but of having the rights of citizenship as well as the burdens at the same time.

If we as a swociety decide to start drafting 16 year olds, then maybe the same debate will occur. I don't see that happening.

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by asleepathewheel


Perhaps loweing the age for the military to 16 (US) would lead to wiser voting decisions by 16 year olds.

Military service has until now been a minor issue in this thread, but I really don't like the thought of 16 year old soldiers.

[GePap]

Originally posted by notyoueither


Similar poll in a gentlemen's club in 1900 about women voting?

The argument that 'that's the way it is right now' is pretty weak.

The situation between women and kids is not, nor will it ever be, remotely similar. Ditto with any canards about race and age.

Age changes by itself. UNless killed, a 16 year old will become an 18 year old in a relatively short amoutn of time. Women turning into men, or people changing race, well, lets say that is a wee bit harder, NO?

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by BlackCat

Military service has until now been a minor issue in this thread, but I really don't like the thought of 16 year old soldiers.

You don't seem to like the thought of 16 year old anything, other than children with no autonomy or responsibility.

Not that that's bad as an opinion, but it's out of step with things here, and in most places I would think.