I very much disagree with the idea that kids should be up-to-date on politics and elections (“No fun until you kids notice the election,” Commentary, Aug. 25).
I’m glad that the author, Robert Samuelson, recognizes the fact that teenagers have homework and other activities that keep us busy, and also it’s good to know that there are some adults who don’t believe teenagers are selfish and self-centered.
It’s obvious that when Samuelson was a kid, he kept up with politics.
But I’m sure things were a little different back then because he and his parents were surrounded by government events and that’s what people were gossiping about.
Now, in the 21st Century, teenagers aren’t allowed to have an opinion, and if they are, then it doesn’t count toward anything.
We’re all glad we have liberty, justice and freedom, but it’s just natural that teenagers wouldn’t be interested in something they’re not allowed to be a part of.
I’m not saying I don’t need to be up-to-date with the elections just because they’re boring.
I’m saying that if you want us to pay more attention, we need to have some say in it; otherwise, what’s the difference?
Because we don’t have any say, it becomes incredibly boring, and we lose interest in it quickly.
Once we obtain the right to vote, it will slowly start to become more appealing to us.
So every time someone pressures children to start paying attention to elections, he should think of what he said when his parents told him to do what he hated most as a kid.
