Dear Editor,
While I applaud Allison Carver for her recent letter to the Richmond News, (Youth yearns for voting change, Letters Oct. 30) I must fundamentally oppose the poorly thought out idea to lower the voting age.
Only 10 years ago I was nearly the same age as Miss Carver, an eager student who followed political and world affairs with great interest. Much like her, I knew of many adults who couldn’t care less. Likewise, I also knew of many peers who were uninterested by the subject and found it rather dull.
I was fortunate to have a network of other like-minded grade school students, where the subject regarding the voting age would come up, and I consistently found myself opposed to lowering it.
I support the Student Vote process that Elections Canada carries out at schools across the nation. It instills the significance of our democratic freedom to vote and is educational in terms of the process. Yet, it is important to realize that we should not, “take advantage of how teenagers already have their beliefs…” because at such an age such thoughts and opinions are fluid. I strongly contest Miss Carver’s notion that when a child transitions into adulthood, “they already have their beliefs set into place.” The point of education and critical thinking is so that we can challenge all beliefs, opinions, and statements. As we age, we will learn through knowledge and experience, we will question and adapt our thinking based on numerous factors.
I was idealistic as a youth; I’d like to think I still am. Nevertheless, I’ve realized that some notions I once held are not feasible. There is always a trade off and price to pay for every decision and as we grow we try to evaluate what is best for oneself, family, friends, and the communities where we live.
Upon turning 18, many young adults are going to university, or finding work, and leaving behind the comfort and shelter of their parents and family. It might take some time to figure out what works for each person separately, but these experiences will certainly challenge our perceptions and beliefs. Voting is no light matter, it is important to prepare young Canadians so they are ready to exercise this duty when they become a legal adult.
Furthermore, I would advise against using Brazil and Cuba as ideal examples to follow. Cuba remains a communist dictatorship ruled by the Castro brothers.
Presently, protests have been occurring throughout the year all across Brazil in opposition to the corruption of the current Rousseff government. The voting age in those countries might be lower, but it does nothing to inspire confidence in the democratic processes of either systems.
Sheldon Starrett
Richmond
