Last Wednesday, Argentina lawmakers passed a new measure that lowered the countries voting age to 16. An overwhelming majority of the South American lower house voted for this change of voting age from 18 to 16. Supporters of this change say that it allows younger generations to be more involved with the government and give them more opportunities to participate in politics. "The move to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 comes a year before a key mid-term election in Argentina, and some critics have said it's an attempt by President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and her party to garner more votes." "If you ask me what is the worst social problem in Argentina, it is the youth. Education is worse. The consumption of drugs is worse. Employment is worse. Things like teen pregnancy, they are much worse than they were at the beginning of this government, and now the government has discovered them and they say, we are going to vote," said Rep. Eduardo Amadeo of the Peronist Front party. Many supporters of this change say that lowering the age is a positive movement that will positively effect people and politics. Over 1.5 million people in Argentina will be added to the list of citizens who can vote. This new act will take action in next years election.
The change in the voting age could be a good thing for Argentina. Even if there are problems among that age group, this opportunity could help lead people out of drugs, alcohol, and crime. Getting that age group involved in politics could improve their outcome in the future. Not all of the 16 and 17 year old citizens may take action in next years election, but for the ones that do, I bet that it will have a huge impact on who the winning offices will be.
source: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/31/world/americas/argentina-youth-vote/index.html?hpt=ila_c2
I'm not sure 16 year olds know exactly what is happening in the world. Since their parents pay for everything and do everything, they would most likely go by what their parents say rather than their own opinion.
ReplyDeleteI think it's good that 16 year olds are getting an opportunity to be involved in politics.
ReplyDeleteThey're making some good points... o-o
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that all 16 year olds are mature enough to handle such a responsibility. They might not have a good reason to vote for someone.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is good for 16 year olds to get the opportunity to vote. Some of them may be interested in politics already, and they would learn so much from having to look at two sides and having to pick one. They would learn about what each person will do to help the world, and would have to pick one of the persuasive candidates as their representative. Also if some people don't want to vote, they can always wait until they are 18. I mean no one is forcing them to vote.
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