Voting Age Should be Lowered to 16

Thank you for such interesting rebuttal,I look forward to rebutting your arguments!Maturity: http://health.howstuffworks.com... this link tells about the difference in adult and adolescent brains, I hope it gives you enough statistical and technical evidence to prove the validity of my points. In adults, various parts of the brain work together to evaluate choices, make decisions and act accordingly in each situation. The teenage brain doesn't work like this.The prefrontal cortex, a section of the brain that weighs outcomes, forms judgments and controls impulses and emotions. It may not fully develop until your mid-20s. I believe this evidence shows the point I am making about a teenager's brain not being developed enough to handle decisions about the country's future. I also believe the point you made about sixteen year olds being in high school works in my favour, because surely the fact that they are still in school (a very sheltered less competitive environment than the adult world) proves they are still not mature enough to have a vote. As well as this, I do not think it is a case of circumstance not being in the army as at 16 you can leave school if you so desire meaning at you can get a job, and being in the army is a job. However, though it is a job, what you do can affect the lives of millions of people and it is for this reason that I do not believe they should be in the army or have a vote. Also I am very sorry for saying “If 18 year olds are not yet mature enough to walk into a pub how can they be mature enough to decide the future of an entire country.” I actually meant 16 as I am from the UK and 18 year olds can go into pubs at this age. Sorry if I confused you!You made a point about being able to drive at 16, my rebuttal to this would be that handing a teenager a car puts their life, and the life's of a few others in their power, handing a teenager a vote puts the lives of millions of others in their hands. On top of this teenagers are taught to drive, through vigorous months of training and exams. Teenagers are not taught to vote, they do not have to sit tests or exams, yet they are in control of much more. I believe that a teenagers training to vote is their lives and experiences as I will go on to say in my rebuttal to experiences.Experience:I do not believe that the voting age should be raised because of experience. 18 is when you emerge into the adult world, hold a stable job. I do not think being 16 makes you untrustworthy but I do believe your decisions making ability is not developed enough at that age to trust them with the future of a country. On top of this I think teens need experience in the adult world before being given the chance to change it. Life is a 'voting lesson' and experience is what helps you make decisions. I believe you helped my point by saying: 'most sixteen year olds are in high school' this is completely true, they are, which means they will not have experienced providing for themselves or being completely in control of their lives. If a teen has not got full control on their lives why would you give them full control on everyone in your country's lives. Most university/college students live on their own, not with their parents, which means they have to pay for themselves (and schooling funds) cook for themselves and work. I think this is sufficient enough experience to trust someone with a vote. Responsibility:The reason a 16 year old is not a juryman is that their prefrontal cortex is not yet developed. As well as this they may be influenced or pressurised by their elders. Just as they are in normal life. At 16 teenagers still are developing their values and opinions on 'right and wrong'.Taxation:Once again I will say that even if they do pay taxes their brain is still not developed enough to make decisions well.Stability:This point in fact works in my favour because teenagers are so stable that they should not get a vote, they are still living in the shelter of their parents, few worries and no money pressures. As well as this eighteen is not the worst time to vote, in fact I would argue there is no bad times to vote in your adult life. People vote for politicians and party's that share the same views as them, or would do something to help them (e.g. give funding for university students).Voting turnout:I think that more would turn up at elections if they were made to wait, that way they would appreciate the chance more. Though I think you make a good point about getting more voters we are talking about adolescents here, not children.Unique point of view:I do not understand how a 16 or 17 year old should be given choices on wages and money when they have (as I said before) little experience of the world and are very financially sheltered. The same applies on other things e.g. housing, pensions etc.Thanks again for the great response, good luck for the next round!