Should children be taught politics at school?

Politics plays such a large part in how our society is formed. Without an understanding of it young people are more likely to become disengaged or even elect people based solely on personality or media/public opinion, without taking notice of any possible party affiliation, policy/voting records, political and social beliefs or manifesto. Teaching children early on about the working of the political system, it’s history and the variety of political beliefs and theories is important if we want to live in society where people are interested and engaged with politics.

A democracy allows for all people to have one equal vote in who should lead, or who should represent a constituency. One’s vote must be based on an understanding or perceived knowledge of policies across candidates. In a country such as Australia with compulsory voting, one must invent reasons for voting for a certain candidate. This simply isn’t a democracy. If we allow deception or media representation to sway our voting habits, then our votes do not truly belong to us, for we have not considered our own, independent opinions in voting.

Any survey of registered voters, young or old, shows a large sense of apathy and political misinformation. This is dangerous in a democracy where while these people are kept uninformed and are often lied to, the media is free to be adulterated by whatever biases their CEOs choose, and more often than not, as is the case in Australia, those media companies own a huge share of the national media. Including a strong understanding of politics into school curricula would ensure that all graduates have some understanding of the political, social and economic world, which can only mean a stronger democracy.

It has been proven time and time again that children are impressionable, and that the things you learn while you are young dictate who you will become as an adult. Our government is a democracy, and consequently we have a voice, and the power derives from the people. We decide what changes are made, and each decision effects every citizen regardless of their circumstances or area code. If the public of America choose not to participate in the democratc system, it will cease to function. Unfortunetley, the youth of this generation are too preoccupied with texting and Jersey Shore to care about politics. The majority of my classmates and friends do not concern themselves with the issues being discussed in Congress, and do not even intend to vote next year in the 2012 presidential election. They see the mess left behind by our parents, the chaos and arguing that occurs on Capitol Hill. They are intiminated, they do not want to get involved. We must make them involved, we must help them to care, to see the impact they have on the future. We are the voice, we are the power of tommorrow, we can bring change. Yes, yes politics should be taught in schools, but more importantly it should be taught in the home. Studies show that children are more likely to be involved in the democratic system if their parents are, it is simply a matter of education and enviornment. The responsiblity lies not only with the teachers of these young minds, but the family. It is up to them, to shape their minds and to spark a desire to make a difference. Without the people, America is nothing. So have an opinion, listen to the debate, join in. I urge my generation to do one simple thing:care. Do not sit in a dark room playing video games, while the world crashes around us. Stand up, scream, shout, let your voice be heard. But more importantly, we must teach the generation of tommorrow to vote. VOTE!

Everyone before they reach the age of voting should be given basic knowledge of how government works and how they can contact politicians with their views and complaints. They should know how to contact their local councillors and what they can go to them about. Then maybe we could get more working class people interested enough to become politicians and fight for equality instead of having politicians with no clue about what its like to a working class person in the country they run. They government just expects everyone as soon as they are 18 to pick a party and start voting for them with no understanding of how government passes laws etc

They are forced to learn other subjects they find boring but at least if the learn basic knowledge of how the government works eg They should know how to contact their local councillors and what they can go to them about. Maybe once they start it they wont find it boring thats stupid they may find english and maths boring but you would stop them learning that. Why shouldnt kids be taught how the country they live in work how are they supposed to decide who to vote for blindly?