Are young people being taught or made aware of the importance of engaging in politics?

For political systems to be deemed representational, all parts of the socioeconomic system must be represented.  When young people are excluded from politics or become disengaged, a sizable portion of society is left with little or no voice influence over decisions that impact group members’ everyday lives. One significant effect is the weakening of political systems’ capacity for representation. I was personally uninterested in being politically involved in any way, until I learnt the importance of voting

Youths have discovered an interest in political concerns and alternate democratic engagement even though mainstream political operations have decreased. Nonetheless, the prevalent perception is that youngsters are politically “unmotivated” or even “uninterested” when contrasted to older generations (Pontes, 2018). These assessments of youth and the apparent difference in engagement in politics between youths and older individuals are based on three factors, first, due to the life cycle and familial impacts. Delays in taking on adult responsibilities are associated with variations in voter participation by generation

Various life-cycle experiences for youths from various generations, according to the British Election Studies (BES), from 1964 to 2010 (Smets, 2016, p. 238).

The next diagram below shows younger people find new forms of participation more appealing than older generations’ more traditional ways of getting involved (like voting). These new forms include protests, petition signing, boycotts, rallies, political consumerism, and online political engagement (Sloam and Henn, 2017, p. 18).

Participation of young people (18–24) in electoral and non-electoral politics in Europe and the US (%) (Sloam and Henn, 2017, p. 18).

Looking at the 3rd diagram, there is a difference between how young adults and senior citizens endorse political understandings. for example,

(Oliver, 2014).

Some statistics on youth participation in politics

According to recent studies, younger voters are less familiar with the nation’s political systems than elder individuals are. The general election turnout figures from 2017, paints a hazy image of democratic engagement amongst the youngest registered voters in the UK. Polling data reports assert that turnout among voters aged 18 to 19 has improved to 57% from the previous election, even though younger voters are the least likely to vote compared to the 69% national average (HM Government, 2018, p. 2). The UK’s young participation rate in national elections is extremely low compared to other European nations.

According to a recent Demos analysis, the UK has the highest turnout disparity between younger and older people in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. According to the most current Hansard Society Audit of Political Participation, people between the ages of 18 and 34 are significantly less likely than people between the ages of 35 and 44 to feel informed about politics. Comparing to 52% of those aged 35 to 54 and 58% of those aged 55 and over, 35% in this age group report having at least a “fair amount” of information. The difference in political interest between those aged 55 and above (62%) and those aged 18 to 34 (41%) remains substantial (HM Government, 2018, p. 3).

(HM Government, 2018, p. 3).

So are the youths taught or aware of their political engagements?

The youths seem to be aware of their political engagement in the UK. Although younger voters in the UK have historically had lower turnout than older voters, data demonstrates that younger folks are neither cynical nor disengaged but locally involved and globally engaged (HM Government, 2018, p. 5). Several younger people have opinions on the topics that matter to them, but they frequently do not translate their opinions into the conventional means of political engagement. As explained below, this has led to rising participation rates in civic, volunteer, and other informal means to make a difference.

The first is Youth boards, youth councils, youth parliaments, and other institutional organizations: Some younger folks participate in local, regional, and national programs where they vote for peers to express their opinions and participate in campaigns and votes on matters that are important to youngsters (HM Government, 2018, p. 5). This comprises the nearly 500 elected young members of the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP), which the British Youth Council governs. UKYP holds the Make Your Mark election every year when the youth vote on the cause UKYP should support the next year. This demonstrates how youngsters mobilize their peers in huge proportions to give them a general obligation for how to act and lobby decision-makers. In 2017, about one million young people aged 18 to 29 cast ballots.

The second is Youth societal engagement (HM Government, 2018, p. 5). this is evident through a variety of organizations, such as the National Citizen Service, young people in the UK are increasingly taking the helm of social action initiatives. The Step Up to Serve #iwill campaign and partners have supported youth-led social action initiatives. Youth-led projects have raised money for various organizations around the UK. Numerous youth social action initiatives have produced beneficial results on various local and nationwide concerns, like mental well-being and environmentally friendly development.

Third is online involvement: Young individuals participate in online social activity in greater numbers. For example, many people use digital channels like blogs, vloggers, and charity websites to express their civic views (HM Government, 2018, p. 5). Social media platforms are increasingly used to communicate with political organizations and elected officials.

                                                  

Fourth is the collaboration of MPs, local councillors, and peers: Elected and non-elected authorities in the UK interact with their young people to include their opinions in regional and governmental decision-making (HM Government, 2018, p. 5). Instances of involvement have included online consultations on young people-focused platforms for social media, campaign rallies in educational institutions and youth organizations before local and federal elections, and electoral districts summer camps for youthful people to learn about campaigning and to work with their peers on regional issues. Legislators are increasingly convening youth panels in their districts to incorporate younger generations in studies, service evaluation, and local project management.

One potential solution is to educate young people about their rights and equip them with the knowledge and resources they need to participate actively in all political processes, especially during election seasons. Formal political participation and a voice in shaping today’s and tomorrow’s politics are necessary for youths to have a long-term impact. Extensive political engagement is crucial for establishing successful and healthy societies and for developing policies specifically suited to today’s young’s needs. It is also crucial as a fundamental constitutional and civic right. I also believe it should be brought up in a family household as your family has a lot of influence on you. My family are who initially made me aware of the importance of being politically involved.

Bibliography

HM Government. 2018. Suffrage centenary: Youth engagement toolkit. p. 1-12. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/896841/Youth-Engagement-Toolkit.pdf.

Pontes, A., Henn, M. and Griffiths, M.D., 2018. Towards a conceptualization of young people’s political engagement: A qualitative focus group study. Societies, 8(1), p.17. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc8010017.

Oliver, A., 2014. Papers on Parliament: Are Australians disenchanted with democracy?

Sloam, J., Henn, M., Sloam, J. and Henn, M., 2019. Rejuvenating politics: Young political participation in a changing world. Youthquake 2017: The rise of young cosmopolitans in Britain, pp.17-42.

Smets, K., 2016. Revisiting the political life-cycle model: later maturation and turnout decline among young adults. European Political Science Review, 8(2), pp.225-249. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1755773914000460