Young Voter Apathy essays

Young Voter Apathy essays In 1971, the United States passed the twenty-sixth amendment, lowering the national voting age to eighteen. West Virginia representative, Jennings Randolph, who argued that any citizen old enough to fight for their country should be allowed the right to vote, originally introduced this amendment in 1941. In 1959, now Senator Jennings began reintroducing the amendment at every session. When reintroduced in 1971 the political atmosphere of the country had changed. By this time it had become apparent to the younger, unheard citizens that it was time for their voices to be heard. However, since that time, apathy has developed among these younger voters because of three main reasons. During the Vietnam War era, many young men were drafted into service for their country. The youngest of these men were sent under the direction of a government that did not allow them a voice in the choosing of those officials who ultimately decided their fate. Today younger generations have not seen or felt the effects of a draft. Therefore, they are not compelled to vote by the threat of war. The young people who got to vote in the 1972 election knew the importance of their vote. However, it is those same people who are not teaching that importance to the next generations. Many parents often neglect politics. They do not feel the need to discuss their own personal views. This is also over looked in the classroom. High school government and civics classes teach how the government evolved and the function of the three branches. Unfortunately, there is little emphasis placed on the importance of the individual vote, which is leaving much of todays youth believing that their vote does not matter. Presidential candidates and young voters are ignoring each other and creating a growing generation of Americans who dont care about elections. This is a never-ending cycle. Candidates gear their advertising toward older groups most lik...