this post was submitted on 15 May 2024
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16 year olds should legally be allowed to vote in my opinion (lemmy.ca)
submitted 6 months ago by TrenGoblin@lemmy.ca to c/canadapolitics@lemmy.ca
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Seriously it really grinds my gears that the Canadian government thinks that 16 years olds are mature and intelligent enough to drive a car, work a full-time job, pay taxes, apply for a passport, and are able to live independently on their own without a parent or guardian if they want to and get married with parent consent.

But when it comes to voting the Canadian thinks 16 year olds are not mature and intelligent enough to vote. Its completely ridiculous in my opinion.

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[–] ThrowawayPermanente@sh.itjust.works 20 points 6 months ago (4 children)

I don't think 16 year olds should really be driving cars, either. Most of them are irresponsible lunatics, in my experience. But they can learn to d'rive safely, and the earlier they start the faster they'll learn. Ideally they would be doing so in a simulator for the first few years. We should probably handle politics the same way - teach teenagers about the political process and help them get experience reasoning about political problems but without exposing others to the consequences of their errors until they're ready to fully participate.

[–] m0darn@lemmy.ca 2 points 6 months ago (2 children)

I think 16 year olds should be legally allowed to drive with guardian supervision. I think they usually are able to.

I think 16 year olds should be legally allowed to drink with guardian supervision. I think they usually are able to.

I think 16 year olds should be legally allowed to smoke with guardian supervision. I think they usually are able to. 16 year olds can't buy them, but parents could give them. I can only think of one situation where parents should facilitate their 16 year olds smoking (as part of a smoking cessation plan).

I think that if a guardian attests that their 16 year old is ready to vote, they should be allowed to.

[–] DerisionConsulting@lemmy.ca 6 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I think that if a guardian attests that their 16 year old is ready to vote, they should be allowed to.

I feel that people who don't agree with the child's politics may not allow them to vote.

[–] m0darn@lemmy.ca 2 points 6 months ago

That's a risk. Yeah I don't really know why you'd need a parental attestation. Forget that part.

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