Why should young people be politically active??

Question

I am writing a one minute speech for a pageant I will be in, and I would like my topic to be about young people being politically active. Does anyone have any ideas, statistics, or websites that could help me out?? THANK YOU :)

Answer 1

The problem with the US is that we have come to believe that democracy is a spectator sport.  It is a participation sport!  The more people who get involved, the better it works.  Young people, especially, should be politically active and, more important, politically AWARE.  They are shaping the country they will live in the rest of their lives.

I am part of the Vietnam generation, and I can tell you in those days, with the draft hanging over our heads, every boy in high school knew about the war, why we were fighting, how we were doing, and whether or not he wanted to participate.  I believe this is why we no longer have the draft.  Some of my friends couldn't wait to go, but most of us didn't want anything to do with it.  We had discussions for hours about politics, and by the time a boy graduated from high school he knew if he was a liberal, conservative, or whatever, and could defend his position.

Americans only get involved when it gets painful.  It's painful now!  More young people have registered this year than ever before, and I think that's GREAT!  Truly was it said: We get the government we deserve.  We are now endeavoring to deserve better.

Answer 2

For World Peace!  No, no... just kidding.  Sorry.

Young people should be politically active as it is their future that is on the line.  The young people will soon be the leaders of tomorrow and that leadership needs to be built upon the lessons of history.  A person who did not grow up aware and active of the political climate will be like the grass that will bend with the blow of the wind - gaining no voice of his own, no principles of his own, no control over part of his destiny and the destiny of his nation.  <applause>...

Answer 3

The problem is how to be politically active AND to think independantly.  Most studies show that young people pretty much vote lockstep with their parents values until they are about 25.

I think more than being politically active, young people need to work on being politically AWARE and able to think critically about the issues in a non-partisan manner.  If anything, young people tend to be hyper-partisan versions of their parents.

Answer 4

You would probably have a more powerful impact on the judges if you were able to cite causes you've contributed to, and experiences you've learned from because you knew being involved in making change is your duty; fighting for what you believe in is the responsibility of all citizens.

Answer 5

Our nation is in a crash, not a recession.  As a college prof i have seen lots of students recruited from my classes and never come back from the war.   To me, this is a question of how much do you care about yourself?  If you expect the rest of us to carry your weight, when we are not carrying our own, well, you will be mishandled.  I see some people joining intentional communities and finding places where they are creating food sources and strong local communities.   I think the point you have to realize is that the world is simply running out of "things."   We are currently operating, consuming as if we had six planets, and we don't.    check out intentionalcommunities.org    most importantly, think about a different way to think, and then act.   in the next 3-10 years, you will be your own keeper, and you need to decide now what does that mean you will do.  not everyone can connect the dots.  not everyone has bothered to learn that a lettuce head travels an average of 1500 miles to get to your plate.  we are living in a highly structured, highly consumption world that is crashing.  we are right now at just the tip of the iceberg.    paradigms need to radically shift and some simply won't, so darwin is back knocking on doors.  for me, i care about young people;  now how much do you young people care about yourselves?   enough to wake up from this hypnosis of a society and TV, and re-mold the world in a way that supports YOU and not some insane fairy tale that is about to collapse.  be politically active, yes.  but also go to the website, rethink the way we live and exist.  (intentionalcommunities.org)  if we change the politics and not our comsuptive lifestyles, it's still all over.   pick up the ball and run, run, run.   don't wait for us.  the ability of the US tribe to learn and change, is not fast enough.   you've got to move infront of the crowd.  good luck.

Answer 6

Young people - like all people - should be politically active IF they are well informed about the issues.  Our country (and our communities) face some extremely difficult and painful issues right now, and if people don't get involved in the political process, those issues will be resolved primarily by people who have the greatest personal financial stake in the outcome.  What is best for those people is not always best for the country.

On the other hand, if young people are just being swayed by emotion without really understanding the consequences of the policies that they support, then it would be better if they stayed home.  Becoming politically active should be the SECOND step in the process, AFTER becoming informed.

Answer 7

Should they?

Look in the real world.

At all the mess out there.

With self lack of knowledge.

Should'nt they be in school?

Then let the "Dirty old men" who would be king do.

What they know best.

Like kicking the butts of the little one.

With " Children are to be seen and not to be heard"

Luke 6.39-40,41-45,46-49

What do you think?