Arguments that giving kids the vote would be bad for our democracy is one thing; arguments that adults are entitled to arrogate to themselves privileges Just Because are something else again.
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Well, why not? I tend to agree that reserving rights for one group over another is usually a Bad Thing. In fact, the movement in Germany actually does seem to be based on age-ist principles, if you will - the younger folks and families are upset at how much money is going to pensioners.
But I have honestly tried to consider why children should be given the franchise along with adults. I am not claiming that children be disenfranchised as a voting block - they have never had the right to vote. They have more rights and protections now than at any other time in recorded history.
Of course, if I substitute the word "black" for the word "children" (or any other minority group, then it begins to sound suspiciously bigoted. However, there is a reason parents have control over their children until they become legal adults and it is not abitrary nor an attempt to disenfranchise a large group.
Do you honestly think it would be a good thing for kids (ages 5 - 15) to vote? Run for office? Decide national policy? I ask from a real sense of curiosity and because I am trying to sort out my own thinking on the subject.
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(no subject)
Date: 2007-01-17 12:29 am (UTC)***
Well, why not? I tend to agree that reserving rights for one group over another is usually a Bad Thing. In fact, the movement in Germany actually does seem to be based on age-ist principles, if you will - the younger folks and families are upset at how much money is going to pensioners.
But I have honestly tried to consider why children should be given the franchise along with adults. I am not claiming that children be disenfranchised as a voting block - they have never had the right to vote. They have more rights and protections now than at any other time in recorded history.
Of course, if I substitute the word "black" for the word "children" (or any other minority group, then it begins to sound suspiciously bigoted. However, there is a reason parents have control over their children until they become legal adults and it is not abitrary nor an attempt to disenfranchise a large group.
Do you honestly think it would be a good thing for kids (ages 5 - 15) to vote? Run for office? Decide national policy? I ask from a real sense of curiosity and because I am trying to sort out my own thinking on the subject.