Are youths today really interested in politics? In your answer, tell me what politics means to you.
The article sums up the sentiments of youths towards politics as a whole. It is precise in showing the "Politics, schmolitic" or "who cares?" reaction garnered from most youths on the streets you ask about politics. In fact, most youths would tune out the minute the word 'politics' is uttered. Ask any teen on the street who Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam is. Odds are, they would not know. He is in fact, our Minister for Education.
Youths today are preoccupied with their own lives and are more interested in fashion, shopping and partying. Many feel that politics are only for 'older and uncool folks'. Politics today bore youths as they feel that policies discussed in parlimentary debates and speeches are too dry and is irrelevant to them cause them to further distance themselves from the subject.
This is especially worrying for youths at our age (16 to 18 years old.) as we are slowly reaching the legal age for voting. (21 years old) If we do not pick up an interest in politics, how would we know who to vote for when it is our turn to stand in the voting booth and cast our votes for the next party to lead Singapore? Without any information, it may lead to adverse consequences if Singapore grant the wrong people power.
Personally, I feel that politics is important in today's context even if it is at times rather dry. Without any knowledge of politics we would not know the reasons behind policies in our country that affects us too. I feel that the goverment should do more to interest and involve the youths in politics in order to make them see the importance of it. This can be done in ways mentioned in the article- by holding informal talks cum Q and A sessions, integrating politics into language lessons at all levels, holding unofficial youth forums and even making use of social networks like facebook and twitter to share with youths more about politics. Only this way can the government help youths understand the importance of politics.
Monday, March 8
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I agree with Evelyn. Youths of this generation are getting more distant from politics. Although we study Social Studies in Secondary school and learn about some of the government policies, I feel that it is not enough. It is important to keep up with the political changes in our country. I also agree that youths have to know their political figures well to know who to vote for to lead the country when they reach the age of 21.
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