Civically Minded
When I was a teenager, I remember seeing a show on a cable music channel called “Rock the Vote”. It was full of famous actors and musicians talking about the importance of young people registering and exercising their responsibility to vote in the presidential election that year. It all seemed very neat at the time. However, looking back now, it seems that the message was more than just “get out and vote”. The message was more about HOW to vote, and for WHOM I should vote.
Not much has changed today. Young people are still being targeted to vote for a certain presidential candidate, or political party. The message is less covert now. Social media has become the propaganda machine to influence the public in their beliefs and convictions. Young people are the most susceptible to this message as they are being suggested to, with no real substantial conversation about what the issues in our country mean to them. This is where the need for non-partisan civics courses and dinner time conversations with parents are needed.
Not much has changed today. Young people are still being targeted to vote for a certain presidential candidate, or political party. The message is less covert now. Social media has become the propaganda machine to influence the public in their beliefs and convictions. Young people are the most susceptible to this message as they are being suggested to, with no real substantial conversation about what the issues in our country mean to them. This is where the need for non-partisan civics courses and dinner time conversations with parents are needed.
Civics class used to provide an opportunity for young people to discuss the workings of local, state and federal governments. Students of the past were well versed about the elements of the Constitution and its influence on our country. However, those lessons seem to have fallen by the wayside. One study conducted by US News found that 2 out of 3 Americans would not be able to pass the citizenship test. The elements of civics class should be teaching them about their God given rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of property. This alarming statistic reveals that students do not know the basics elements of representation, term limits, or the balance of powers. |
This lack of foundational knowledge causes us to miss an opportunity to improve our communities. Youth are most likely to vote in the presidential election, but they many times don’t see the importance of the races for seats in the Senate and House. Their lack of understanding of the power of the legislative branch causes them to choose not to actively pursue knowledge about local and national races for those positions. This is most likely due to the fact that many states don’t even require civics class in high school, and if they do, they might only teach the foundational elements and not help students find ownership and responsibility as a citizen.
Lack of foundational knowledge is something that needs to be remedied, and can be public schools requiring civics education. That is a must. At the same time though, it is also good to have conversations with your student as they approach the voting age. Remembering that students will be influenced by their peers, social media and school, parents need to help their teen understand that they should not just vote on the bandwagon. Whether it’s social media, or Rock the Vote, young people are being suggested to all of the time. This is apparent in the Tufts College study where it is apparent that young voters have changed their views on what kind of leader they want to see take office. In a poll about their presidential choices over time, voters 18-26 definitely gave different answers over time. Although this article was written in 2015, it shows a drastic shift in the reasons for voting for a certain candidate. What is the reasoning? Why are students no longer interested in honest, trustworthy leaders with strong character? Why are they more concerned with change and having someone represent someone “like” them? This author would argue that the propaganda of the most recent presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2020 were carrying the banner of “change”. The last several election cycles have seen an influx of new ideas about climate, rights, racial strife, gender equality and equal rights for LGBTQ populations. Those influences are shifting the priorities of the millennials who make up half of the population of the voting public. There is nothing wrong with convictions, and morals, however, these new ideas about “change” have only become popular among this generation because someone is perpetuating a narrative upon them.
So what can parents do to help guide the young voters. First of all, it’s important to stress that local and state elections are just as relevant as presidential elections. Help them to understand the delicate balance of changing of power with new seats opening up at the federal and state level. Students should be reminded that our local frustrations with water rights, land use, food prices and housing availability are all part of the bigger picture that politicians at the state and local level are dealing with. Even though the office of president is a large part of the workings of our government, these midterm election races are paramount for the future of our state and our country.
Along with your encouragement to make a well informed, educated decision in November, students can begin now to get ready for election day. Vote411.org is a great place to start!
Getting involved locally:
There are many different ways that citizens can get involved in the educational process. Schools are asking for participation in many different ways. The schools along the corridor have made school board meetings readily available for the public to watch and participate in. Together, we can contribute time and attention to our young people. Below is a list of opportunities:
-Attend a board meeting (virtual): Bennett, Strasburg, Byers, Deer Trail
-Run for school board positions
-Write your local superintendent
-Attend a board meeting (virtual): Bennett, Strasburg, Byers, Deer Trail
-Run for school board positions
-Write your local superintendent
- Bennett * Mrs. Robin Purdy
- Strasburg * Mr. Dan Hoff
- Byers * Mr. Tom Turrell
- Deer Trail * Mr. BJ Buchmann