Political Awareness Should Be Important to High School Students by Benjamin

Political Awareness Should Be Important to High School Students by Benjamin - March 2017 Scholarship Essay

Although most high school students are too young to vote, political issues, debates and elections can have serious consequences for America’s youth. Decisions made by politicians and votes cast by adults control much of the present and influence the future. Taken alone, these statements may be self-evident, perhaps even cliché. Considered as a problem to be solved, high school students could ask how they might affect aspects of their future that seem out of their control. Viewed as an opportunity for action, however, teens and young adults should realize that political awareness is important to understand their world now. Furthermore, even before they can vote, political awareness is crucial for high school students to influence their future and to impact their future when they are able to vote.
The 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1971. Student activism played a large role in lowering the federal voting age from twenty-one to eighteen. One of the major political debates of the 1960’s focused on Selective Service as American students were drafted to fight in the Vietnam War. Young men were eligible for conscription at the age of eighteen, but they had no right to vote until the age of twenty one. Because of the consequences involved, America’s youth became politically aware and involved. High school and college students made significant contributions to American political debates and outcomes.
In more recent times, the ‘younger generation’ was impacted by national and international events. A large percentage of young American’s became politically aware and involved. Many high school students who were too young to vote were influenced by the political issues preceding that election and became politically involved when they were eligible to vote. Once again, awareness of national and international issues contributed to a much larger percentage of young voter turn-out than in preceding decades. The younger generation played a large role in the election of the United States' first African American president and helped change political policies.
Some pundits have argued that a reduction in young voter turnout and youth awareness in political issues contributed to the political change that is occurring in America today. Without making judgments about positive or negative effects of any elections or political directions in the United States, it is very clear that the level of political awareness shown by America’s younger generations impacts the direction and future of the United States and the World.
There are many cliché statements about politics that are true. Political debates and decisions of today will change the future. America’s young people will inherit the future. Yesterday is history and tomorrow is a mystery. Today is the chance to make a difference for tomorrow. All of these statements are true. They are also reasons why political awareness should be important to high school students.