The opinion of young people in politics is never a good one. Another common stereotype of the younger generation is that they are apathetic about voting. Students focus on their lives and ignore decisions that affect the country and the world. Essentially, many seem to believe young people are selfish.
Even worse is that those who pay attention to youth voters are entertainers that seem inclined to insult the political intelligence of young people by releasing YouTube videos, such as the Muzzler 2008, "encouraging" young people to go out and vote, or when they create a video to tell Saudi Arabia to lower gas prices so that they can afford to travel in their private jet (I'm looking at you, Sean Combs!).
This treatment leads the average young person to believe that no one expects him or her to actually make it to the polls, giving the impression that their opinions and beliefs are of trifling political importance.
But this is not the case. Young people are more than ever involved and are passionate about politics. In fact, the number of young registered voters has increased from 2000 onward.
According to a study conducted by CIRCLE (The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement, the number of votes cast jumped from 15.9 million to 20.1 million, from 2000 to 2004. The percentage of voters age 18-29 jumped from 40 percent in 2000 to 49 percent in 2004, a nine point increase.
Voter turnout increased for a particular reason. According to a Gallup poll, 64 percent of young voters (aged 18-24) have given this election a lot of thought.
In the same poll, 44 percent of the polling group said this election is the most important election in the last 50 years and 37 percent said they believe that it is more important than other elections. Young people seem to believe that the next president to be elected will significantly or moderately impact their lives according to these findings.
Given the radical political developments of the past, the standard to uphold is quite high.
The 60s were a time of great political revolution. Young people were disillusioned with the politics of the time and channeled their energies towards causes like free speech for students.
The movement for free speech then lent momentum to the women's rights movement and the civil rights movement, which dramatically changed U. S. politics.
Political leaders instilled a spirit of change, and individuals took part in marches, sat down in protests, and sought to change the political atmosphere of the time. Photos, speeches and videos of the time demonstrate just how far people will go for the sake of a message.
One of the most extreme examples is the bombing of public buildings by Weather Underground, an organization founded by anti-war activist-turned-university-professor Bill Ayers. Compared to these activists, young people certainly seem apathetic about what goes on in politics.
But the politically unmotivated stereotype does not do justice to the increasing active voters of today.
Young people are a active demographic and believe civic participation is important, as the Gallup poll suggests. Today's youth now carry with them the mantle of political responsibility.
In the 1960's, Free Speech Movement organizer Jack Weinberg said, "We have a saying in the movement that we don't trust anybody over 30."
Contemporary youth are not politically active in all the ways their parents' generation chose, but must continue to build interest in campaigns and voting. The older generation must allow them room and listen to what the young generation has to say.
Political evolution can only come through cooperation between young and established politicos. Older voters may yell at youngsters to get off their lawns, but they can't expect the next generation to stay off their political turf.
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