ousefox Posted 7 April 2015 Posted 7 April 2015 No, life is pretty good for the young in this country. They might not realise it yet, but they will in time. I'm sure I've read many times that young people will be the first in many years to be worse on than their parents in adulthood.
leicsmac Posted 7 April 2015 Posted 7 April 2015 Its the 30 somethings who are ****ed. It's everyone below the age of 50 who is fvcked, mainly due to the most entitled generation of our time having subsidised university education, free healthcare from cradle to grave for the first time ever and being offered more employment and success opportunities than any generation before or since, backed by a very healthy guaranteed pension - which they took full advantage of. And now they're looking to deny those same benefits and opportunities to the generations to follow (or at least looking to elect those that would) because "hey, the money has run out." While calling those who want what they had "selfish" and "entitled". The brass neck of some elements of the baby boomer population is utterly incredible. Could it be that some of the politically active young people are aware of this and are a little aggravated about it, which is why they wish to go up against these people? Of course, you do get the populist rubbish mixed in with it too.
MooseBreath Posted 7 April 2015 Posted 7 April 2015 I'm sure I've read many times that young people will be the first in many years to be worse on than their parents in adulthood. Quite hard to say really isn't it. I'm more thinking in comparison to other countries though. You get big youth political movements in places like Syria and Greece precisely because they're fvcked up. When it's all peace and prosperity like it is in the UK, young people have got better things to do.
Babylon Posted 7 April 2015 Posted 7 April 2015 The problem is that a lot of young people aren't failing to turn up at polling stations because they're making a stand - they're not turning up because they have no knowledge of or interest in politics. I'd say it's also because the dividing lines between what differentiates the major parties are becoming ever more blurred. It also feels to me like Parties spend more time telling us how bad the opposition is, one lot twisting stats one way, the other lot twisting them the other, rather than spelling out their visions on what they want for the country. I've had a look through the manifesto's and the differences seem minimal. With lots of differences just being the opposition parties saying they will scrap certain things that have been unpopular with the current government like the bedroom tax or to stop using atos for disability checks. Being a 35 year old white male, earning an average wage, taking no benefits, with no kids, own my own home outright, not in an industry that has an influence from migration etc. What is there in there that's going to swing my decision on who to vote for? For the average person there probably isn't a particular stand out party, for which they feel inclined to vote for. I'd love to sit here and say x party speaks to me, I feel compelled to vote for them. As it is there is rarely that one party or one leader that really makes me want them to be in charge of my country. Or even one that makes me think, "I don't want him in charge, I'd best vote for the other bloke."
MooseBreath Posted 7 April 2015 Posted 7 April 2015 Its the 30 somethings who are ****ed. I think that generation has been dealt a tough hand by UK standards, but still a pretty good hand by international standards. Though any low skilled 30-year-old who's not on the housing ladder can pretty much say goodbye to the idea of ever having any real wealth unless they retrain quick.
Christoph Posted 7 April 2015 Posted 7 April 2015 Teacher here - Citizenship covers politics and left/right wing but the problem is 80% of the teachers who teach citizenship are humanities teachers with other degrees such as R.E./history/geography and so dont bring much passion to their lessons. It's a massive shame that more young people dont vote.
davieG Posted 7 April 2015 Author Posted 7 April 2015 Patronising alert! Perhaps a TV programme where candidates have a 10 minute slot to demonstrate their talents and then a vote by phone, text or web - Britain's Politician's Got Talent Or maybe programmes for each of the leaders based on the Kardashians (sp) Not that i've ever watched them but they seem to be a very popular genre amongst young people.
fleckneymike Posted 7 April 2015 Posted 7 April 2015 Force young people to vote by giving them something to vote for.
Babylon Posted 7 April 2015 Posted 7 April 2015 Force young people to vote by giving them something to vote for. Indeed, sort of what I was saying but shorter and more to the point. If people feel a connection with someone or a party they will vote for them, if you don't feel like any of them represent what you believe in, you won't vote.
Stadt Posted 7 April 2015 Posted 7 April 2015 Probably not even 10% of people my age have a clue about politics, I bet at least a third couldn't correctly identify Cameron, Miliband, Farage and Clegg. If it was lowered to 16 then I'm fairly sure you'd just get teens voting for who their parents vote for. I'd hazard a guess and say the turnout for 16-18 year olds would be about 25% at the very best.
ADK Posted 7 April 2015 Posted 7 April 2015 I'd like to see most age limits come down to 16. I think you have to start somewhere and by 16 you are old enough to start learning how to become an adult.
Guest Bilo Posted 7 April 2015 Posted 7 April 2015 I'd like to see most age limits come down to 16. I think you have to start somewhere and by 16 you are old enough to start learning how to become an adult.
Guest Bilo Posted 7 April 2015 Posted 7 April 2015 Isn't that one already 16? Yes, but I wanted to throw in some needless innuendo.
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