Should Voting age be lowered to 16?

[AllThingsTech]

Should the voting age be lowered to 16? I’m keen to hear your thoughts given the controversy and there’s no clear-cut answer to this

Imo, a policy change has its pros and cons. Given the aging population, I feel like lowering the voting age would result in a more democratic out ome for future generations. Although terms are reasonably short, once laws are passed they are not easily reversed without instability and protests!

However, there’s a question as to the maturity of a 16 year old. This is the age at which they begin to consider their career choices, so I feel like some political awareness is important. However, there’s a risk of them being pressured to vote in favour of family values. Of course while this is a possibility regardless of age especially where one is oblivious to political matters, imo there’s the awkward situation of a 16 year old being legally considered a minor and so potentially less freedom to make their own decisions and being forced to vote for a party they don’t personally support.

Thoughts?

 

[Retro]

A 16 year old can legally have sex which is a much bigger responsibility than voting, but the issue of enormous peer and family pressure is significant, so dunno.

 

[AllThingsTech]

A 16 year old can legally have sex which is a much bigger responsibility than voting, but the issue of enormous peer and family pressure is significant, so dunno.

Yeah that’s true - what’re your thoughts on that? Would you call that too young to be having sex? Personally, i feel like we all mature at different ages tbf

 

[Retro]

Perhaps it should be raised to 18 like in America?

 

[AllThingsTech]

Perhaps it should be raised to 18 like in America?

Sure, I feel like as well as it distracting from their studies, teens at that age can be impulsive in trusting those who play mind games or are dishonest, due to a lack of life experience, about things like STDs and what not.