Running head: VOTING AGE<\/p>\n
1<\/p>\n
Advantages and Disadvantages of Lowering the Voting Age to Thirteen<\/p>\n
Name<\/p>\n
Course<\/p>\n
Tutor<\/p>\n
Institution<\/p>\n
Date<\/p>\n
VOTING AGE<\/p>\n
2<\/p>\n
Advantages and Disadvantages of Lowering the Voting Age to Thirteen<\/p>\n
In most nations, the minimum voting age is set at eighteen years (Grover 2011, p. 3). In <\/p>\n
the past, the minimum age to vote was twenty one years, but after several debates, this was <\/p>\n
lowered to eighteen years. When individuals reach this age, they are considered to be adults. As <\/p>\n
an adult, one should be able to analyze different situations, think critically, and thus make wise <\/p>\n
decisions. Every decision leads to some consequences. Regardless of the consequences, whether <\/p>\n
negative or positive, the responsible adult can be held accountable for them. This is the reason <\/p>\n
that the minimum voting age limit has been set at eighteen years in many states (Grover 2011, p.<\/p>\n
3).<\/p>\n
Currently, there are ongoing discussions about whether to lower the voting age further. <\/p>\n
At first, the minimum voting age being considered was sixteen years (Grover 2011, p. 4). The <\/p>\n
latest debate talks of lowering the voting age to thirteen years. Reducing the minimum voting age <\/p>\n
from eighteen to thirteen years has several advantages and disadvantages associated with this <\/p>\n
change.<\/p>\n
Advantages of lowering the Voting Age to Thirteen Years<\/p>\n
Young people have a unique way of looking at things. This special quality is lost as the <\/p>\n
child gets older. The uniqueness may compel them to vote for certain people who they feel will <\/p>\n
be able to address their issues better, something that older adults may not do because they are <\/p>\n
unduly influenced by other factors (Grover 2011, p. 45). It is also argued that generally youths <\/p>\n
can vote wisely, since they too are able to make good decisions on their own.<\/p>\n
Youths of today mature faster than they did in the past (Grover 2011, p. 47). Their quick <\/p>\n
growth and maturity can be attributed to a number of factors, such as exposure to platforms from <\/p>\n
where they lean the realities of life with great speed. The media is one such platform. Further, the<\/p>\n
VOTING AGE<\/p>\n
3<\/p>\n
more people vote, the more votes a candidate or political party will receive. This places a <\/p>\n
particular party or candidate, who has the interests of youths at heart, at an advantage over <\/p>\n
others.<\/p>\n
Disadvantages of lowering the voting age to Thirteen Years<\/p>\n
Logically speaking, there are important decisions that a thirteen year old cannot make.<\/p>\n
Voting decisions are very crucial and nothing should be left to chance with something so<\/p>\n
important. In other words, thirteen year olds are simply not mature enough to be involved in such <\/p>\n
an important exercise (Grover 2011, p. 50).<\/p>\n
A thirteen year old is not yet exposed to life and its realities. They, therefore, cannot<\/p>\n
understand why some things happen the way they do, and the role they can play to control some <\/p>\n
of these things. Thus, they might not consider voting with the seriousness it deserves (Grover <\/p>\n
2011, p. 52). They also may vote for a candidate for all the wrong reasons. There are things that <\/p>\n
are of great importance to a thirteen year old, such as video games for example. If allowed to <\/p>\n
vote, they could base their voting decisions on such trivial matters.<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/p>\n
Conclusively, a thirteen year old is still too young to be given some responsibilities, such <\/p>\n
as voting. At thirteen years of age, one still needs the protection and guidance of a parent or <\/p>\n
guardian. It would, therefore, be a huge mistake to allow thirteen year olds to vote. The <\/p>\n
consideration of lowering the minimum voting age to sixteen years would be a more viable <\/p>\n
argument.<\/p>\n
VOTING AGE<\/p>\n
4<\/p>\n
Bibliography<\/p>\n
Grover, Sonja, 2011. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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