Why Teens Should Be Concerned With Politics | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

Why Teens Should Be Concerned With Politics

After all, this is the country you live in, work in, and pay!

1232
Why Teens Should Be Concerned With Politics
David Goldman

Although the 2016 election is a stressful and fearsome subject to talk or think about, it is extremely important for your future. Yes, the candidates are less than unsatisfactory, and their plans resemble jokes, yet once you grow into an adult with your own house, trying to get a well paying job or a sufficient college education, and one day maybe your own family, it will definitely matter then.

Unfortunately, most teens today have no interest whatsoever in politics. They couldn't care less about what happens. Less than a third of young people express interest in politics, according to an official survey. As a teenager, you could have a lot of activities in your life that may seem more important such as a job, extra curricular activities, romantic and casual relationships, college, etc., but in order to be able to do all of the things you like to do, isn't the government/politics a huge contributor in that?

Even if it's local politics, it is still important to be aware and educated on what is happening in our world today, and be concerned with who will be leading your town, state, and country. The teens who do choose to be involved with politics are changing our world every day. The "liberals," which only make up 21 percent of the younger generation who are interested in politics (a fifth), are the ones standing up and making a change. Scarily enough, though, the other 79 percent of the teenage population admit that they're political views come almost directly from what they hear from their parents. They have no actual reason to believe what they believe other than it's what their parents tell them is right.

In this generation, it is crucial to be a part of politics. Many young people are very frustrated with the election, as they feel they do not have a fair choice between candidates. Therefore, we think voting does not matter, and that our votes will be thrown away anyway, which is not the case at all. Not voting is pretty much just giving your vote away to whoever. It is important to express your opinion on who you think would be best for our country. After all, this is where you live and who you chose has some say in what happens in our country.

We also need to be aware of all of the distractions that come along as a way of covering up some mistake in the country that has been made. This is called "feeding frenzy," and is used by media to excite citizens with scandals and irrelevant controversial stories while distracting them from events going on in the real world. A great example would be the controversial stories of the Confederate Flag being labeled as a racial symbol. Many people were obsessed over this while behind the curtain, terrible, important, big, things were happening in this world. At that time, The Taliban launched a daring attack on the Afghan parliament in Kabul while it was in session. Also, on June 23, Wikileaks released NSA documents implicating the agency in spying on France—specifically current and former French presidents and members of the French cabinet. These are just a couple of events that occurred while everyone obsessed over a flag.

In today's media, sitting or kneeling for the National Anthem has become the new "feeding frenzy" topic, and has done an unfortunately good job of distracting the American population.

The moral is, it does not matter how you feel about politics, or if you agree with what is said on television and on the debate. If you want change, it will not just be handed to you. You must contribute to what you would like to see happen. Your vote is worth it. Do not give your vote away to whoever is most popular. Do not ignore what is happening in the world today. You need to get your voice out there and help change America. As soon as you are 18, register to vote, and don't just sit and watch the world burn.

Sources:

http://www.conspiracyclub.co/2015/06/25/10-stories...

http://www.gallup.com/poll/14515/teens-stay-true-p...

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

623728
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading... Show less

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading... Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

516430
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading... Show less
Relationships

The Importance Of Being A Good Person

An open letter to the good-hearted people.

790066
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading... Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments