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Should the voting age be 16? Should the voting age be 16?
Yes, the age should be lowered Yes, the age should be lowered
No, the voting age is fine as it is No, the voting age is fine as it is
No, the age requirement should be raised No, the age requirement should be raised
More voices should be involved in the process More voices should be involved in the process
16-year-olds are capable of formulating opinions 16-year-olds are capable of formulating opinions
They have adult responsibilities, but can't vote They have adult responsibilities, but can't vote
We should start incorporating politics as early as possible We should start incorporating politics as early as possible
The legal age of an adult is eighteen The legal age of an adult is eighteen
Responsibilities are really starting Responsibilities are really starting
If someone can be drafted, they should be able to vote If someone can be drafted, they should be able to vote
Life experience should be required Life experience should be required
The age category of 18-29 has very low turnout The age category of 18-29 has very low turnout
Young people are easily influenced and manipulated Young people are easily influenced and manipulated
The brain isn't fully developed until 25 The brain isn't fully developed until 25
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Should the voting age be 16?
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Yes, the age should be lowered

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They have adult responsibilities, but can't vote

Once rights involving freedom are given, teenagers should be able to vote.
Scott Warren
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Context

In 2019, 56.2% of people aged 16-24 in America were employed. 50.4% were employed in the United Kingdom. 57.5% were employed in Canada. Adult responsibilities are entrusted upon this age group, so it's odd that 16 and 17-year olds do not have the privilege of voting.

The Argument

Voting is a huge responsibility. Likewise, so are many duties entrusted upon sixteen-year-olds. They can drive, work, and volunteer. They can contribute financially to their household. It seems like the right to vote should come with that, as many are already highly active members of society.[1] The argument that all rights should be given at one age is a common voice across many countries. The right to drive is a starting point, why not use that as the legal age for most things, particularly voting? It makes no sense to scatter these rights around like checkpoints.

Counter arguments

Just because a teen is entrusted with adult-like responsibilities does not mean they are ready to vote. Not all teens are employed or responsible, and mixing irresponsible teenagers in with the responsible could be more detrimental to the voting system than beneficial. It's not worth the risk.

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Young teens are already entrusted with many adult responsibilities. [P2] Voting is an adult responsibility.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] 16-year-olds are not entrusted with ALL responsibilities. [Rejecting P2] Voting is an adult responsibility and should be left to adults.

References

  1. https://www.youthrights.org/issues/voting-age/top-ten-reasons-to-lower-the-voting-age/

In the Wild

This page was last edited on Monday, 6 Apr 2020 at 10:44 UTC

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