Should the age to vote be reduced to 16?

I never said that. If you chained someone in an underground laboratory for 50 years, they would be 50 years old, but, have no life experience. Clearly, days alive isn't something we attribute voting rights to. If it's life experience, there must be some sort of minimum threshold. What is that threshold?

No, it's because of the law. 18 and above are legally bound by the contract, and, it's very hard to void. Under 18, as a minor, the contract is binding, but, is very easily voided.

I don't think they're legally obligated to do either of them. Dropping out after year 10 should be fine, before, I'm not so sure. Irrelevant, my Dad never completed Grade 7, would you grant him with the right to vote?

Taxable income is paying tax on any income you earn that is applicable, and hasn't been written off. So, If a 16 year old works at McDonalds and accumulates an income of $10,000 they would have to pay tax on that. This tax would be used to pay for the roads you drive on everyday. However, even if you don't contribute to society in any way or form other than leeching from it (you could be 30 and claim unemployment benefits forever) you would still have the right to vote on this basis. Why is this?

There is certainly need for people who actively contribute to society to get a voice in who runs their country. Dependent on your age, this question mightn't be applicable but, how would you like it if you weren't granted the right to vote? It's not really relevant whether or not you would vote, but, the right itself is a large one. It's an unalienable democratic right, it's what democracy is founded on, the voice of the people. You seek to erode democracy to socialism?

 

If someone in Australia drops out of school in year 10, they legally have to pursue further education, or gain some type of income. Your dad dropped out in grade 7, thats fine, he can vote when he's not a MINOR at the age of 18. I believe the minimum tax threshold has also recently been raised Valid point on the tax, But a minimum wage at Mcdonald's can't buy you a vote, I still believe 18 you are classed as an independent, with that comes responsibilities, voting being one of them, I see no reason why that age would need to be lowered. Maybe when your a bit older your mindset might change

Anyways thanks for the discussion for the few days

 

I said I wasn't sure about grade 10. Having said that, there are are an abundant amount of 16 year olds in grade 11.

So, it doesn't really matter what education he got, does it?

It has, stupidly. You still need to file taxable income.

They are no more independent than 16 year olds. This argument is circular. Your assuming the premise that an 18 year old grants rights for one to vote. This is fine except in this debate where I'm scrutinizing such a right to be granted on such a basis. Also, as for independent I think you mean a legal adult. Being a legal adult is merely just an age, so, you would need to demonstrate why being alive for x amount of days grants you voting rights.

 

I had to do this for a GCSE Citizenship Study, so even though I got an F, I feel my views are rather intellectual.

Why I think that the voting age should be reduced to 16
As a 16 year old myself, this view may seem biased, but however, it's what I truly think. At 16, in the United Kingdom, we can do a lot of things. It's the age of consent, as well as the age to enlist for the Armed Forces. You can smoke, but not buy cigarettes, and have a drink with a meal. You can do things where you are making major decisions in your life, such as being able to get married with parental consent.
For instance, the age of consent. This is the LEGAL age that you can have a child. Having a child is a process that needs to be well-prepared, and thought through. I know that there are a lot of Teenage pregnancy's, but that's due to careless people wanting to try something new, like risking sex without a condom, or just being plain dumb, and wearing two, which will rub together and "rip" both. While we are on the topic of relationships, there is relationships in marriage, where people are legally committed to each other for life, or until they get a divorce. Getting married isn't something you jump straight into, due to the fact that you have to wait a while for a divorce, and they can be entitled to 50% of their assets.

So voting. Why is voting so important. If anyone could vote, childish people would put the country in a mess. What is needed for voting is maturity, which most 16 year olds are, mature. In a different way to older people, not wise, but still rather mature. If they are mature enough to make decisions to change their life, and risk their life for their country, shouldn't they get a say in how it's run. The country that THEY could be protecting. They might not be the most knowledgeable about politics, but that's what schools are giving the lesson citizenship for, to encourage people to learn about politics, and what each of the parties believe. What lobbying is, why riots are caused, it's all a large step. If they know the right stuff, why should the mature ones of us be deprived the ability, due to the immature ones. At 18, there are still immature people, as well as you are able to make more decisions.

Those are my reasons, feel free to go against them, PM me please if you have made a reply, and I'll check back.

 

The age for voting should remain at 18. At 18, most people are graduated from high school, and they should understand what is going on in the world.

 

no i think it should stay the way it is now because 16 year olds are too immature they wouldnt make a good vote.

 

Why is graduation from high school so important?

There's no such thing as a good vote.

 

i think it should stay at 18 only because you become a responsible person at 18 and thats the most age people move out of home and leave school

 

just a tip for further essays you made a good point but you pushed it to far.

 

Most people are actually staying at home on wards of 18.

Also, whats the difference in responsibility between a 17 year old and 9 month teen, and an 18 year old and 3 month teen?

There's no added responsibility at all, all they become is an adult, and the responsibility is not shown right at the age of 18.

 

Dropping the age to 18 was understandable. If you're drafted to fight and die for this country, you have every right to vote for your elected officials. I'm also assuming that a draft would 'educate' 18 year olds on how to vote relatively question.

Now for 16 years olds, why? Society deems 16 year olds as children in almost every aspect. They technically can't watch certain movies, can't drink, buy cigars, or legally have sex without parental consent.

So no, I don't support a drop.

 

Would you not extend this to economic contribution to the country?

Laws of certain places change but in Australia:

Movies is correct.
You can drink, but not purchase.
You can smoke, but not purchase.
You can have sexual intercourse without parental consent.

The same logic for serving and dying for your country holds on the grounds of self-sacrifice. You sacrifice your money earned for the betterment of the collective body, with, or without your consent. Though only difference is the degree of self-sacrifice, on the one hand you sacrifice your life, considered the ultimate sacrifice; on the other you sacrifice your wealth which enables you a quality of life. They seem to be fairly close.

 

I think it should stay 18.
why?

You can be drafted at 18.
Can't at 16.

If your old enough to die for you country, your old enough to vote for who leads it.

I personally am a registered voted but i choose not to, simply becuase i don't really care.

 

If the ability to sacrifice yourself for the presumably betterment of your country grants you voting rights, then, paying taxes too fits into this sect of sacrifice.

 

18 years makes a better generalisation than 17 years and 9 months, the rules can't be changed for individuals who deem themselves more mature.

 

I think you should be able to vote at 16 after all everyone has a voice to be heard. 16 is when you start to become independent (and or in the progress in becoming independent)... In England there was alot of riots going on and i think that's the result of the younger generation voices not being heard especially those from a lower class family and now we got a party in parliament which supports the higher ups. They've been making lots of cuts, one of the cuts that the younger generation relied on was EMA which you received at the end of the week (its around about 20-30 pound) this benefit was only claimed if your attending college and your family house come was below 20,000 pound, now that's gone many youths been quitting college and getting low end jobs which they'll properly get stuck in for the rest of their life's!

Let the younger generation be heard!


(sorry for the spelling mistakes if there is any and also sorry for the incorrect punctuation)


Edit:

Every generation has a place in this society do not ignore the youths!

 

Let's be serious here.

How many 16 year olds actually have a clue?

 

Less than one percent.

So not.

 

I think it should remain 18.
At 16 most of them are still doing exams and what not, it would be a burden if they had to take their political views and think how they are effecting the country while they are revising or taking exams.

At 18 some are taking exams still, but some who have decided not to go into high education don't have a worry on their minds at that age in life.

 

maybe,it is hard to say.

Infracted.