There was a time when teens were silenced and adults were allowed to take charge. But now, times have changed. The United States has been suffering from a plethora of gun-related mass shootings that plagued the country like a heat wave.
I think now is the time our innocent yet intelligent students and teens all alike take a stand against gun control laws. It's true how once kids turn 16 years old, they FINALLYget to drive a car and take matters into their own hand for their education. To make things sound better, just recently, a new campaign has been trying to spread the word in establishing 16-year-olds the ability to vote in local elections. It really sounds like a smart move- to be honest, I couldn't have said this any better myself.
The new campaign called vote16USA, a project of generation citizen plans to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 to increase civic engagement of younger Americans. Most advocates feel that lowering the voting age can increase voter turnout and the participation of liberals in the government. As teenagers participate in issues that directly impact them and the society, it would be easy to convince them to advocate for effective action and civic education.
What are some of the reasons 16-year-olds need to vote? Where is the UNDERLYING evidence?
Let's start with some of the positives of allowing teens under the age of 18 to vote. Most 16-year-olds who are enrolled in high school courses have to learn US history and government, with some introduction to the American voting system. They also have direct access to the news on their TV and phones.
I mean, if students are required to study current affairs and debate politics, why can't they vote?
That being said, young citizens have the same rights as adults since they all live in a democracy where every vote LITERALLY counts.
They also have had stronger connections in their community, by having lived in the same areas for years and years to establish these relationships with their community, family, and peers. Evidently, decreasing the voting age increases more votes for an upcoming law or election. Now as we go into depth about why lowering the age matters, young people should be more inclined to make a difference by participating in political election voting areas and making their voice heard to state and federal policy.
I feel now is the time to make this change. 16-year-olds should have a right in voting- and with this, society might become more acceptable of the attitudes and likings of the younger generation. First, people need to be aware of this campaign and that only happens with us--We NEED to educate ourselves.
Who are some of our young activists?
These young teenagers are from Parkland, the name of the place where a shooting just recently happened in 2018, are ACTIVELY speaking out for reform. These young 16-year-old civic activists from Stoneman Douglas High School are those brave teenagers who spark and ignite the change in protest rallies speaking and advocating for reform.
Thus, these kids have started the #NeverAgainMovement, a national protest on many accords. With that said, its possible to say how high school students can completely overturn the opinions of Donald Trump and Marco Rubio and how they chose to not support gun control laws. I sense these kids have aces up their sleeves- they manage to engage media and keep national attention on the issue.
But there is one thing to keep in mind: although they might not have had a say in government earlier, they do have the right to speak out for reform now to win the hearts of the restless nation.
Did you know that one of the laws in the United States decided to end age discrimination in voting for everyone 18 and over in all elections? Interestingly enough, The US Supreme Court adopting the 26th amendment was a good move for bipartisan politics. And yes, this indeed did happen.
But you know what? The time has come to make these changes and put them into effect with this new campaign.This new revolution might hopefully change gun control laws and cause reform.
