BY JULIA SAFRIN
During such a polarizing time in politics, everybody has something to say and teens are no exception. While some may think that teens are too young to form any kind of political opinion, they actually aren’t and it’s important that they do.
Even though the majority of teens can’t vote, the decisions made in politics today will affect their future. It’s important for teens to inform themselves from reliable, unbiased sources and to develop their political views. When their time comes to hit the polls, it’s necessary for teens to have their own political ideology and to understand how that corresponds with the ballot.
Nobody is ever too young to have an opinion; teens are old enough to be aware of the political climate and formulate their own thoughts about it. Just because they’re young, it doesn’t mean that teens are naive or ignorant. Teens should be able to express themselves when it comes to politics and not be afraid to take their views to the polls when they’re old enough. After all, they are the future.
Voting is both a right and a privilege, and no one should let it go to waste. Many groups of people fought to have the right to vote in the U.S. and, because of this, voting shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Teenagers are the future– if they are prohibited from being able to speak their point of view, then the future looks bleak.
It’s crucial for teens to know that they have a voice and, even if they can’t vote yet, they are still capable of making a change. Their age shouldn’t deter them from getting involved, especially considering the power they wield. But it seems that a majority of teens today don’t recognize their potential to create an impact. According to Tufts University, the voter turnout of 18- to 29-year-olds in the recent 2018 midterm elections was 31 percent, while the 2014 midterm elections had a 21 percent youth voter turnout.
Politics are not a topic reserved for middle-aged adults. Having an opinion on the surrounding world as an adolescent matters because it’s destined to affect people. There isn’t an age requirement for political and civic engagement, which can be as simple as just informing oneself– something that every responsible citizen should do.
Teenagers are the future– if they are prohibited from being able to speak their point of view, then the future looks bleak. The only way the country is going to progress is if people take action and participate in their government, and that includes having any kind of political view or opinion. Teens should not be turned away from political conversations because it’s an “adult” topic.
Age only defines a person’s youth– not their intelligence, awareness or maturity. Teens should have an opinion on the matters that can have a large impact on their future and on the country that they will soon be running.
The younger that teens express themselves, the better trained and equipped they will be to voice their views further down the road. By getting involved as teens, the young adults of the future will be able to learn and benefit from their past experiences.
The cliché that age is just a number holds true. Teens hold a tremendous amount of political power.
Teens also bring in a unique point of view to the discussion on politics. As young members of society, they have a fresh perspective and can bring new ideas and concepts to the table. By getting teens involved in politics, legislators can better make decisions for the young generation.
Teens are not naive or ignorant because of their age. Teens’ political opinions are not invalid or ill-informed because they’re teens and “don’t know anything.” For teens of today, having technology at their fingertips makes it much easier to get informed. If anything, teens that refuse to put this technology to good use should be looked down upon, rather than the teens that use this quick access to information to form a political opinion.
The cliché that age is just a number holds true. Teens hold a tremendous amount of political power. The older generations need to welcome teens’ views to add different perspectives to political discussions and debates, rather than discouraging them from fighting for the future that they will soon be leading.
Photo courtesy of Fatherly
