Politicians have often spoken of wanting to foster an ’intensive society’.
How might we ensure that this society includes its young people?
In today’s society, the youth of today are looked upon as not worthy amongst an adult society. Media has had a knock on effect on the way teenagers are perceived. There is a controversy on whether teenagers should be including in events within society such as elections. However, there are many reasons why this is a difficult decision.
Firstly, in today’s evolved society, youth have been bombarded with technology such as; computers, laptops, mobiles, leaving them very little time to be doing something else. Also, technology is the reason for failed GCSE’s and brainwashed teens. From a survey I took in a Sixth Form common room, after asking them what they would save in a fire, 92% said their mobile phones. This shows how reliant and addicted the majority of youth is in modern society. With media and technology everywhere, young people’s minds have been corrupted with the use of colloquial language and abbreviated spelling in exam’s as teenagers have written ‘u’ instead of ‘you’ without realising. As this issue grows, the public begin to wonder whether the adolescent generation are ready to tackle the ‘real world’.
With technology becoming much more advanced and more and more teenagers owning a Smartphone, a chance of an open-minded, politician-to-be is being deleted with every click.
However, with the minds of the public, the youth could take roles within the community such as running small clubs, e.g. sports related clubs for young children in the community. By doing this, teenagers would get more recognition amongst the public eye and maybe rid such a stereotypical road down the crime and punishment isles. Young people would be more passionate with the children as it’s nothing too demanding and running the clubs could be shared out by many young people so that their whole lives are not being taken over by doing this. It is also a chance for younger people to get some credibility as universities and employers no longer just look at the academic side of people anymore and want to see past that. Furthermore, it would also stop a lot of stereotypes towards young people as young people are often stereotyped as lazy, selfish and criminal-like to say the least.
After the London Riots in the summer 2011, the stereotype of teenagers grew massively. Teenagers were blamed for all of the riots, even though it was statistically proven that 80% of the people who took part in these criminal offenses were 24+ – adults. This gave youth even less chance of recognition in the adult world. Media has had a huge impact on the way youngsters have been perceived, and from generation to generation it is only getting worse. With the public eye in doubt of teenager’s capabilities after such labelling and fixes, hope is wearing thinner and thinner for any glimmer of inclusion with society. In my view, there are different ‘cliques’ in society; the elderly, middle aged – adult, and teenagers – children. With teens loosing hope for respect, some begin to lose respect for others and portray the juvenile delinquent behaviour painted on every adolescent’s forehead – CRIMINAL. This gives the youth more reason to rebel as no one is being taken seriously or listening. ASBO’s are so easily handed out to youth these days, as soon as they see a hoody, an ASBO is issued, and another stereotype is automatically blasted into society.
However, from a recent survey I portrayed in a class of 15, 80% of students said they wouldn’t want to vote at 16, as they do not know enough about politics, or just do not care enough. Does this show society are making the right decision in banning voting and contributions until 18?
Furthermore, contribution doesn’t have to mean voting or politics. It could be smaller challenges such as charity work, community work, or small public events which teenagers could organise, host and even participate in to regain to innocence and praise of the older generations.
Overall, teenagers are blamed for all damage caused in society in the 21st century. Therefore giving such pressure to be allowed to vote at 16 may be asking for too much. Although I agree that the youth of today should be allowed and expected to contribute more in society, there are some reasons in which teens are simply not ready for the ‘oh so scary real world’ and should live longer and see more, experience more in order to have strong opinions and thrive to help for the better. Teenagers should focus on education and qualifications, so if they wanted to vote, or to have a say to make a change, could do so successfully. Therefore, I do not believe that teenagers should be fostered into the involvement of society just yet.