[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Russ

Perhaps much the same might be said about those who voted in all kinds of national things.

Clearly, intelligence does not necessarily begin at 18. We allow adults with legitimate mental issues/impairment the vote. Some 16 year olds are mature and rational-thinking. Some 43-year-olds are seriously immature and lack cognitive skills.

As has been said, if you pay taxes, then you ought to have a say in where you think those taxes go.

That is one of the most ridiculous things said in this topic.

First, 84% of 16-27 year olds are in education. https://explore-education-statistics...mployment/2024 which totally knocks the assertion on the head.

Second, by corollary, (and equally ridiculous), if the assertion is to hold, then the 16% in the full time labour market, could have the vote and the 84% not.

Third, and taking in the rest of what you've said, how rational can a 16/17 year old be in relation to national issues when they have no experience framework to which the relate and balance their thinking.

18 is already a young age - but they have a two year advantage on their younger cohort. It is well known that the human brain isn't fully mature before the age of 24 or 25. Why on earth give the vote to an immature teenager?