Professor Jennifer Frost research on youth voting rights and the 26th amendment lead me upon a reflection of what it means to be youth in today’s society. The young people who were involved in her research were activists that promoted social change in society. They held protests because without the ability to vote, it was the only way to get their voices heard. Frost used her research as an agent to promote their voices because she believed that youth voting rights would strengthen democracy in America. The debate ultimately becomes one of maturity which is not defined by a number. Age is rather a socially constructed part of identity that needs to be understood within time, place and context.
When I participated in last year’s Climate Change protest, I was overwhelmed by the amount of young people who actively engaged in shouting and marching. I even saw a young boy wearing a superhero cape that said “Captain Climate” on the back! Not only was that adorable but it made me imagine the kind of change youth can bring if they were allowed to vote on this issue.
Youth are collectively powerful and influential. Many understand the issues of our time and we can no longer live in an era where we leave the decisions of our fate in the hands of those who choose to disregard youth opinion. I believe in Professor Frost’s research and feel that the ability to vote should be reshaped within the contexts in which we live.
