So, young people aged 16 and over, in Northern Ireland, will forthwith be entitled to vote, as Keir Starmer’s government lowers the voting age all over the United Kingdom.
It’s quite probable that a similar change will be introduced in the Republic, where the voting age currently stands at 18.
There’s been much discussion as to whether suffrage should be extended to teenagers of 16. Those in favour point out that such adolescents can join the army, work and pay taxes – so why shouldn’t they vote?
Those against claim it’s just a cynical political ploy to attract younger voters to more left-wing parties – since it’s assumed the young will vote for the left. Moreover, there’s a sliding scale of maturity in these developing years: a person can’t drive until the age of 17; in the UK, the age of marriage has recently been increased to 18, to discourage hasty decisions or undue influence.
And the prefrontal cortex of the human brain – which controls judgement and assesses risk – doesn’t fully develop until about age 22 or 23.
If adolescents are more attracted to radical parties – so what? This may well express an element of youthful idealism and energy”
Still, there’s a lot to be said for permitting young people to vote at 16. These young folk represent the future and they surely have a stake in deciding the political stewardship of any society.
If they’re made aware of their voting responsibilities, they’ll develop a stronger interest in governance, and how democracies work.
And if adolescents are more attracted to radical parties – so what? This may well express an element of youthful idealism and energy, which is a valuable asset.
Many of the most dedicated and impassioned saints were teenagers, from Joan of Arc to Bernadette of Lourdes; St Aloysius Gonzaga was only 16 when he determined to join the Jesuit order against his family’s wishes, while Carlo Acutis showed all the signs of sanctity aged 15.
Arguably, in today’s world, young people aren’t given enough opportunity to take responsibility or involve themselves in community activities. Prolonged education has kept youngsters hothoused in school and college all through these developing years, and they often don’t get sufficient exposure to ‘real life’. Time was when teens regularly had a part-time job – less usual now – or were expected to contribute to the family economy.
Yes, 16-year-old voters could tilt the political outcomes – and the effect might be especially interesting in Northern Ireland, where, it is predicted, Unionist support would lose ground.
But if older voters feel so strongly about this – they need to get out and vote more actively themselves. The biggest voting trend in recent decades has been voter indifference, and increasing abstentions.
Extending the vote to 16-year-olds would enhance democracy, and even perhaps inject some youthful idealism into the public square.
***
Demography is fascinating
The hot subject to study these days is demography – the composition of human populations, births, deaths and patterns of living.
As we are increasingly made aware, births are falling below replacement level all over Europe. From Finland to Spain, rural life – and its culture – is threatened by extinction, according to the OECD.
There were just over 3 million births in Europe in 2024; in the mid-1970s, there had been over 6 million annually.
Demographic statistics between Greece and Turkey tell a vivid story about Greece’s relative decline, in comparison to its old rival, Turkey (and a Christian society versus an Islamic one).
In 1927, Greece had 7 million people while Turkey had 13 million. By 1960, Greece had 8 million, and Turkey had 28 million.
In 1990, Greece’s population had risen to 10 million, while Turkey’s had increased to 57 million.
In 2020, Greece still had just 10 million people; but Turkey had 84 million.
***
My early life was absolutely bursting with magnificent, capable, varied, independent women,” writes Ursula Kane Cafferty in her memoir of growing up in Mullingar, Snappin’ Twine.
It’s a unique picture of life in an Irish midlands town in mid-20th century, full of vibrancy and wisdom. In contrast to the “misery memoir” of Ireland of the 1950s, this well-observed collection of vignettes makes clear “the women were in charge” of the town’s social life – and of so many of the businesses, shops and enterprises.
They were confident and independent, sometimes eccentric and glamorous, and as neighbours and friends, kind and cheerful. One moving episode recalls how the Mullingar women rallied round an unwed mother, back in the day, supporting and protecting her from stigma.
The book is a mixture of personal memoir and valuable sociological record, illustrated with photographs of old shop fronts and the personalities involved in the community. Fittingly, it’s been long-listed for the Carousel Aware Prize for Independent Authors, whose final result will be announced in August.
Snappin’ Twine is available from “Buy the Book” online, at €22, or contact Ursula Kane Cafferty at: hello@ukcafferty.com
If votes at 16 change Northern Ireland – so be it!
So, young people aged 16 and over, in Northern Ireland, will forthwith be entitled to vote, as Keir Starmer’s government lowers the voting age all over the United Kingdom.
It’s quite probable that a similar change will be introduced in the Republic, where the voting age currently stands at 18.
There’s been much discussion as to whether suffrage should be extended to teenagers of 16. Those in favour point out that such adolescents can join the army, work and pay taxes – so why shouldn’t they vote?
Those against claim it’s just a cynical political ploy to attract younger voters to more left-wing parties – since it’s assumed the young will vote for the left. Moreover, there’s a sliding scale of maturity in these developing years: a person can’t drive until the age of 17; in the UK, the age of marriage has recently been increased to 18, to discourage hasty decisions or undue influence.
And the prefrontal cortex of the human brain – which controls judgement and assesses risk – doesn’t fully develop until about age 22 or 23.
Still, there’s a lot to be said for permitting young people to vote at 16. These young folk represent the future and they surely have a stake in deciding the political stewardship of any society.
If they’re made aware of their voting responsibilities, they’ll develop a stronger interest in governance, and how democracies work.
And if adolescents are more attracted to radical parties – so what? This may well express an element of youthful idealism and energy, which is a valuable asset.
Many of the most dedicated and impassioned saints were teenagers, from Joan of Arc to Bernadette of Lourdes; St Aloysius Gonzaga was only 16 when he determined to join the Jesuit order against his family’s wishes, while Carlo Acutis showed all the signs of sanctity aged 15.
Arguably, in today’s world, young people aren’t given enough opportunity to take responsibility or involve themselves in community activities. Prolonged education has kept youngsters hothoused in school and college all through these developing years, and they often don’t get sufficient exposure to ‘real life’. Time was when teens regularly had a part-time job – less usual now – or were expected to contribute to the family economy.
Yes, 16-year-old voters could tilt the political outcomes – and the effect might be especially interesting in Northern Ireland, where, it is predicted, Unionist support would lose ground.
But if older voters feel so strongly about this – they need to get out and vote more actively themselves. The biggest voting trend in recent decades has been voter indifference, and increasing abstentions.
Extending the vote to 16-year-olds would enhance democracy, and even perhaps inject some youthful idealism into the public square.
***
Demography is fascinating
The hot subject to study these days is demography – the composition of human populations, births, deaths and patterns of living.
As we are increasingly made aware, births are falling below replacement level all over Europe. From Finland to Spain, rural life – and its culture – is threatened by extinction, according to the OECD.
There were just over 3 million births in Europe in 2024; in the mid-1970s, there had been over 6 million annually.
Demographic statistics between Greece and Turkey tell a vivid story about Greece’s relative decline, in comparison to its old rival, Turkey (and a Christian society versus an Islamic one).
In 1927, Greece had 7 million people while Turkey had 13 million. By 1960, Greece had 8 million, and Turkey had 28 million.
In 1990, Greece’s population had risen to 10 million, while Turkey’s had increased to 57 million.
In 2020, Greece still had just 10 million people; but Turkey had 84 million.
***
My early life was absolutely bursting with magnificent, capable, varied, independent women,” writes Ursula Kane Cafferty in her memoir of growing up in Mullingar, Snappin’ Twine.
It’s a unique picture of life in an Irish midlands town in mid-20th century, full of vibrancy and wisdom. In contrast to the “misery memoir” of Ireland of the 1950s, this well-observed collection of vignettes makes clear “the women were in charge” of the town’s social life – and of so many of the businesses, shops and enterprises.
They were confident and independent, sometimes eccentric and glamorous, and as neighbours and friends, kind and cheerful. One moving episode recalls how the Mullingar women rallied round an unwed mother, back in the day, supporting and protecting her from stigma.
The book is a mixture of personal memoir and valuable sociological record, illustrated with photographs of old shop fronts and the personalities involved in the community. Fittingly, it’s been long-listed for the Carousel Aware Prize for Independent Authors, whose final result will be announced in August.
Snappin’ Twine is available from “Buy the Book” online, at €22, or contact Ursula Kane Cafferty at: hello@ukcafferty.com
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