Remember, when teachers told you to not get too “political” in your history essay? The word is treated like a plague in high schools and students are advised to stay far away from it, except when there are school elections, of course. The debate regarding students’ education in the subjects of history and politics has existed for a long time as opponents believe that introducing such disciplines in the curriculum would affect their opinions at a young age, but that isn’t a necessarily bad thing, is it?
According to a report, 50% of people eligible for voting in the 2016 US election ranged from ages 18 to 29. However, the number of votes cast by millennials remained relatively low. The main reason for this was the unawareness of the candidates standing for elections which is why experts emphasize on the importance of political awareness and voting among young adults.
While millenials and generation Z are smart enough to hire an online dissertation writing service for their academic projects, let’s see why their involvement in the elections matters so much.
Important Force
In the US election of 2008, 52% of youth voted for Democratic Party, making Obama a popular political figure among the young adults. However, the number declined to 2% in the recent elections that also compromised with the overall voting ratio.
Today, boomers and millennials constitute for the equal voting electorate, and it is only a matter of time before millennials become the most influential force in the voting body. Therefore, more young adults should be encouraged to vote as they would be affected the most in the coming years.
The Values Have Changed
There is no doubt that the world we are currently living in is better in terms of racial and gender equality. Boomers have been noted to be less tolerant towards these changes, and this is reflected in their votes as well.
With the number of young voters declining, it just means that the deciding ratio still falls to the older generation even though the beliefs and moral values are different. For instance, in the US Presidential election, most of the youth cast a vote for Hilary Clinton, but the electorate decision favored her opponent because of the low turnout from the youngsters.
The Vote Counts
A lot of youngsters have stated that they do not vote because they believe that their vote does not amount to much. However, that is not always the case. You should not let the power to make a decision go to waste but instead, utilize this opportunity to bring about a change.
Individual stances sometimes make more difference than you think! For instance, Senator of Minnesota, Al Franken won in 2019 with a lead of just 312 votes. So always make a point to vote, especially when you belong to such an influential generation.
You Have Experienced the Worst
From Brexit to Great Economic Recession, Millenials and Gen Z have grown up during tough times as the entire period of the early 2000s witnessed high rates of unemployment, a sharp decline in household income and several terrorist attacks. So if anyone understands the need for a stable government, it is the youth. From college debt to new policies in school, the system can be revolutionized if young people vote in their better interests.
Diversity
The world is now more diverse than ever with movements and awareness for representation on the rise. This means that the supremacy of one group, race and gender can be eliminated if young people voice their agendas through voting.
For instance, many millennials have voted against the Democratic and Republican parties in America because they feel that they work against the interests of the working class and immigrants. So the presence of more “woke” and culturally diverse people in the parliament can be ensured if the electorate body steps out to vote for them.
It Affects Lives
Whether we teach about it formally in school or not, it is a widely established fact that politics affects all aspects of our lives from an early stage. Whether it is bullying in high school or gender discrimination in the job sector, the manifestos of politicians do bring a change in the lives of normal people.
Therefore, it becomes vital to educate youngsters about the dynamics of the state as soon as they begin to understand the surroundings. Many people suggest that voting age should be moved to 16 so teenagers can understand the responsibilities and practice it often when they move to adulthood.
So if you are 18 and still studying but your country requires you to vote, then make a choice wisely because maybe you may not care right now, but the working and health conditions would be your main concern four years later. Therefore, choose a better future for yourself and always remain up to date with political candidates.
