In most countries, the current voting age is 18. Should this age be lowered? Yes? No? Why? Discuss

I say no, but only because of peoples attitudes to voting, only one of my friends voted during the european elections (i didn't as my papers never turned up), some of my friends didn't vote as they don't understand the parties fully, but others never want to know and can't be bothered, they would rather just be ignorant of politics. I don't think a lower age would result in higher turn out, just more spoilt ballots.

I think that the issues I worried about prior to 18 were not the kind in which I personally wanted to vote for a president. :/ Sure, I could say "I want him" but it carried little weight, and I remember being just slightly frustrated in the Kerry/Bush election--mostly because I was tired of Bush being president (and I was incredibly close to being 18). But, do I think the age should be lowered? No. At 18 you're considered an adult (which in itself may be a bit silly considering all of the 18 year olds I've come across) so you should be able to have say on how the next years of your adult life are affected. You're worrying about different things to a greater extreme: how your college education will be paid for, rent, getting a more dependable car than the junker you got at 16 and needing loans for that; all practical things. And if that's not your cup of tea, surely other things will interest you. No need to change the limit though. :/

no. i actually think 18's too young. at 18 i had no freaking idea how to vote, no understanding of the parties or their policies and no real desire to give a shit lol. most teens aren't thinking about who's leading their country, they'rte thinking about getting laid, drinking, up coming exams, friends, money etc etc. not politics.

I agree.
I think it should be like, 21 or something.

When I was 18 I was like 'fuck yes i can do what i want' and did what i wanted.
I didn't care what was going on in the world.
Few years changes shit

I think 18 is a good age. Although I wasn't your average teenager. xD I knew a wee bit about politics.

the first time i had to vote was a few months after i turned 18. i didn't understand shit, now did i care. lol.

Not only should it NOT be lowered, it should be RAISED! There are far too many 18 year olds that not only do not care, but also do not understand the process. I've said for many years that the voting age should be at LEAST 21 and more properly...25.

I'm definitely not an expert on politics, lol, but I knew enough to make my own decision on who I wanted to vote for

It for sure should NOT be lowered. It should be raised, like everyone said, at 18, most people don't care about politics they just vote for who they thing is "cool" or who their friends are voting for. It should be 21 or 23. 25 is a bit old imho but if it made it more so who REALLY deserved to be put in office was put there, then i'm all for it.

Now I'm back from college, I can reply to me own thread
In the UK, you can legally leave school, leave home, get married with parents' permission, legally have sex, get a job, pay taxes and so on at 16. You're given all of this responsibility yet you are not allowed to vote until you're 18. You could ask, if you're given all of this responsibility at 16 then why shouldn't you be given the responsibility to vote? Well, they say that, at 16, you're still considered a "child" and are not as mature or experienced in life as, say, an 18 or 21-year-old would be. But, you can come across a 16-year-old that is way more mature and informed about politics than a 21-year-old, or even a 40-year-old.
I don't think the voting age should be lowered (or raised) but I do think that younger people should be made more aware about politics and the government at schools -encouraged to join programs, such as 'youth parliament' -so, when they have their opportunity to vote, at least they will be informed

I think that political education is rather important. Still, and this is only meant to be sarcastic:

Just because you're allowed to drive to the bar, pick up a guy and sleep with said guy, become pregnant because you were inebriated at the time and couldn't be bothered with safe sex, get yourself a shotgun wedding (because your parents don't want to have a bastard for a child), and move out to live with your new husband [/longest RUN ON EVER] doesn't mean you should also vote for who runs your country.

With adult views of responsibilities comes immature decisions on the basis that you THINK you're mature enough to. After all, the government allows you to drink, drive, marry, have sex, and the likes. Why not exercise those rights? I remember when I was in school for example. Starting from elementary school on up I always thought I was more mature than I really was. In fact, I twitch today when people insist that I act younger than I am. I honestly don't think that two more years of maturation is going to hurt. Instead you can advice the youngins on how they should vote and how the government works locally as well as nationally.

Again. The basis was hypothetical. Sarcastic...and not meant to be disrespectful or telling of anyone.

I'll go with age doesnt matter, that there ought to be a political test to take, and only those that can pass it, are allowed to vote.

Something to consider though. Every political decision made directly affects the young people. After all, they're the ones who have to live in the world created by those in office.

At the age of 16 in most western countries a 'child' can be charged as an adult for most serious crimes, so if they can have the mental capacity to be an adult criminal then shouldn't they also have the mental capacity to vote? Seems to me to be something of a double standard.

Also, kids are like any other demographic, there are good and bad, smart and dumb. Adults don't have to prove they're smart enough to vote, there's no test for them. Some kids may not vote or vote badly, but the issues at play in the world today often directly affect those kids giving them a voice in politics may be of great benefit, and it may strange as this may seem, create a less short-sighted political bloc.

good night and good luck.

A lot of young people don't bother learning about politics as their beliefs are ignored even though young people are heavily effected by the actions of government.