Write a short essay on the following question: Should 16 year olds be permitted
to vote?
Recently there has been a discussion on whether 16 year olds should be
permitted to vote.
It is true that the world has changed a lot in the past years, the society is
moving very fast and young people have a wide knowledge of what’s
happening around them and that raises the question whether they should
have the right to vote or not.
Some say that by permitting 16-year olds to vote, we will give the world a
better chance, since young people are progressive, energetic, and full of
dreams and therefore should be offered the possibility to decide for their
future. It is in a way irrational that the elderly can vote without any age
restriction while 16-year olds, who represent the most active and aspiring part
of our society are considered immature to vote and have to accept being
excluded of the possibility to affect changes in the government of their
country.
On the other hand, those against any change on the voting age, argue that 16-
year olds are still at school, fully dependent on their family and lack the life
experience required to be able to take such serious decisions as the election of
a government. Furthermore, some say that by lowering the voting age, there
will be no particular change, since 16-year olds might vote the same as their
parents, or simply not vote at all.
It is evident that both sides, in favor or against the voting of 16-year olds, have
solid arguments and that at present the issue will remain controversial. It
remains to be seen whether young people will eventually convince society
about their maturity and political interest.
