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Lowering the voting age

Peter

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c628ep4j5kno

So the labour party apparently believes that 16 and 17-year-olds are old enough to vote. But not old enough to:

  • Leave school
  • Hold down a full-time job
  • Buy a plastic knife
  • Play the lottery
  • Buy alcohol
  • Smoke
  • Sue someone in court without permission
  • Get married (in England and Wales)
  • Watch porn
  • Make porn
  • Go to war
  • Stand for parliament

Now in my mind voting is one of the most adult things you can do. You are taking responsibility for the running of the country (indirectly). So my question, and it is a serious question for debate, if 16 and 17-year-olds can be expected to vote what other adult things could they reasonably expect to do.

For the record I personally am in favour of reducing the voting age but I do think it produces important inconsistencies that should probably be addressed. At the very least you should be able to stand in the elections you are voting for. If a 16-year-old can vote for an MP they should be allowed to be an MP.

Parents
  • After reflecting deeply on this issue, I’ve come to believe that 16-year-olds should be allowed to vote. To ensure readiness, they could complete a civic education module in school and pass an exam demonstrating their grasp of key concepts—without being required to adopt any particular ideology. If a student can engage with history in a classroom setting, they are capable of participating in democracy.
    I also believe their unique neurochemistry—whether they are going through or have not yet experienced puberty—offers perspectives that many adults may overlook. This developmental stage can be seen as a form of neurodivergence in itself. Just because young people may score higher on emotional or impulsive metrics doesn’t mean they should be excluded from voting. If we used those criteria to disqualify voters, we’d risk disenfranchising neurodivergent individuals like ourselves.
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