Opinion: Too young to vote, too young to protest

By Gray Lonning
Student Reporter

Having the ability to participate in elections is one of the most important factors in our country, but there is a specific reason they have age limitations on who can and cannot vote. 

Growing up, I was always told that voting was my civic duty, and every four years, I went with my mom or dad to the voting polls only to get a small snack and juice – and I believe that should be the only involvement children should have in politics. Every election cycle, some people feel strongly about certain policies and protesting at voting locations becomes their way of actively engaging in the democratic process.

However, those who choose to bring their children along to electioneer any type of policies they believe is just another type of indoctrination. Not allowing their children to grow up in a world where they can think and create their thoughts and instead forcing them to grow up regurgitating every viewpoint their parents have. 

The biggest stress-inducing factor for children under the age of 18 should be making sure their homework is turned in on time and they are ready for state testing. Going home and having their parents tell them if a certain candidate gets elected that our republic as we know it will be destroyed, and unneeded stress looming over them making children worry when they do not need to. 

According to NPR, over 53% of U.S. children aged 11 and older have smartphones, giving them access to the internet and endless opinions on every topic. Growing up, I – and everyone else at a certain age – relied on our parents’ knowledge to understand the world.

When parents take it a step further by taking their children with them to protest certain policies they personally disagree with leads to blind following.

While going around Amarillo on Election Day 2024, capturing photos of people working or participating in the election, I came across an elementary-aged boy holding a sign encouraging citizens to vote for Proposition A – where if it was passed, citizens of Amarillo could bring civil lawsuits against others who they think helped or intended to help a woman travel to have access to an abortion. 

That child should have been getting ready for P.E., instead his parents thought they would force their viewpoint on him and have him hold a sign all day for something a child his age should not advertise.