I don't think children should vote in governmental elections.
I think I have become more conservative as I have aged. Also, I spend a lot of time with kids. Developmentally, they are not able to understand historical context before the age of 12. (Of course, you could argue that a lot of adults don't consider historical context before they vote, either.) They tend to be very black and white about issues until about age 8 or so, but those decisions are strongly based on the opinions of parents and then peers.
My knee-jerk reaction is also based on what has happened in advertising. As the market aims more and more at a younger demographic, we see a real unraveling of culture and social mores based on giving precedence to age (and presumably, age-based wisdom). We see sexuality being encouraged at a younger and younger age without the accompanying sense of responsibility and acceptance of consequences. Translate that to politics and one becomes very nervous, indeed.
Besides, I would like some benefits reserved for adulthood. There really are differences between adults and children and I have no problem with dictating what I think is best for children who have not yet got the intellectual capability or life experience to determine their own courses.
I agree entirely about teaching the kids to be more responsible so that they go through the motions of democracy. But I don't think we ought to give them full free rein. After all, we don't hand them a grocery list and the credit card and send them off to market. They play "grocery" until they have the concepts of buying, selling and choosing. Why not play "democracy" until they have the concepts down and are ready to assume adult responsibility in that sphere?
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Date: 2007-01-16 06:36 pm (UTC)I think I have become more conservative as I have aged. Also, I spend a lot of time with kids. Developmentally, they are not able to understand historical context before the age of 12. (Of course, you could argue that a lot of adults don't consider historical context before they vote, either.) They tend to be very black and white about issues until about age 8 or so, but those decisions are strongly based on the opinions of parents and then peers.
My knee-jerk reaction is also based on what has happened in advertising. As the market aims more and more at a younger demographic, we see a real unraveling of culture and social mores based on giving precedence to age (and presumably, age-based wisdom). We see sexuality being encouraged at a younger and younger age without the accompanying sense of responsibility and acceptance of consequences. Translate that to politics and one becomes very nervous, indeed.
Besides, I would like some benefits reserved for adulthood. There really are differences between adults and children and I have no problem with dictating what I think is best for children who have not yet got the intellectual capability or life experience to determine their own courses.
I agree entirely about teaching the kids to be more responsible so that they go through the motions of democracy. But I don't think we ought to give them full free rein. After all, we don't hand them a grocery list and the credit card and send them off to market. They play "grocery" until they have the concepts of buying, selling and choosing. Why not play "democracy" until they have the concepts down and are ready to assume adult responsibility in that sphere?