By being uneducated on current politics, people of all ages can face an unrepresentative government, susceptibility to propaganda and loss of freedom.
Politics in the United States begins at the polls, and the education a voter has prior to going to the polls significantly influences the election’s outcome.
According to American Political Science Association member Jonathan Dolen, only around “58% of eligible voters” vote in the U.S., and of that percentage, many are not educated on the matters they are voting on.
“For those who do vote, I believe it’s important to go to the polls armed with the facts. Whether you’re voting for President or voting on a local ballot initiative, having the facts helps you make an informed decision on the issues,” Dolen said.
Without proper education on politics, young voters may be unsure about a candidate’s intentions, government policies or local government laws that they are voting for, which will only affect them negatively in the long run.
Many people have the mindset that what happens in politics and what they vote for does not affect them, but this is certainly incorrect and a result of being uninformed.
“Whether we like it or not, government plays a huge role in our daily lives,” Dolen said, “ranging from the amount of tax you pay for your morning coffee, to the types of light bulbs you’re allowed to purchase.”
For teens, especially, the stress of politics can become overwhelming, and it can feel as though there is no reason to care, but politics are just as relevant for youth as adults.
According to digital editor Berenice Santiago, almost everything that happens in the school environment is directly linked to politics.
“In fact, every school policy, every piece of curriculum, every safety measure in our buildings, that’s political,” Santiago said. “Who represents our community on the school board, whether or not students have access to mental health support, how our schools are funded, what rights LGBTQ+ students have, what books we can read, all of that is political, and all of that affects us directly.”
This makes it abundantly clear that if students choose not to be educated on politics, they lose their voice on matters that affect them. Just because someone is not old enough to vote does not mean they are not able to influence change.
Additionally, current eligible voters are responsible for setting up a positive future for younger generations, and should care about how matters affect everyone, not just themselves. This requires every voter to be educated on all matters, not just issues they feel directly impact their generation.
Propaganda and fake news are also more prevalent than ever in our society, shaping the way people make their decisions. Being uneducated makes you more susceptible.