The Apathy Of Generation X
...attitude
towards politics as the older generation of Americans. Indeed, the
issues concerning young voters are just as important as those
concerning older voters. Why the newest voters choose to abstain their
right has long been studied. While it has been proven
that the vote of young people can make or a break an election, most
candidates are reluctant to relate themselves to young
people. When that Tuesday in November comes, young people choose not be
heard, assuring themselves future neglect by the
part of elected officials.
There are reasons that young people do not vote, or get involved in
political actions. They range from apathy to just plain
not having enough time. One of the larger reasons is that most
candidates are much older then those 18-25. This would put the
generation gap in between candidates and the youthful voters. A 19 year
old Trinity College student remarks about Bob Dole, I
think he is making himself look older by speaking about certain issues
we (young people) can not relate to. When asked to give
an example the student stated, "he made a reference to World War I, I
thought he was going to say he fought in that one too!"
(www.mtv.com/chooseorlose). While Bob Dole is a isolated instance, many
youthful voters feel that there is a ever growing
distance between them and the older generations. Another reason that
young people are turning away is lack of education
towards politics. While this could be said for any age group, it seems
to be more prevalent in younger people. The lifestyle of
younger people does not allow for a everyday exposure to politics as
those of a older generation. Thomas Banks, a 19 year
old student, when asked why he was not watching the 1992 Presidential
Debates responded, "I guess because I don't really
see what's going on at college. I feel pretty isolated. It doesn't seem
as...
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