Answer :
Final answer:
Arguments against voting under 18 typically cite the immaturity of youth and their lack of engagement in politics. Other reasons include their busy lives and less direct interaction with the government. The Twenty-Sixth Amendment's success, however, shows that young people can be motivated to engage politically when feeling directly impacted.
Explanation:
Arguments against allowing people under 18 to vote often center on concerns about maturity and informed decision-making. Opponents argue that the immaturity of youth might hinder their ability to make well-informed decisions at the polls. Moreover, young people may not feel connected to the political process, believing their votes do not matter or that politicians are not addressing their concerns. Additionally, the lifestyles of young Americans, particularly those in college, tend to be busy with studies and extracurricular activities, which may lead to lower voting rates in this demographic.
Other factors contributing to lower political engagement among young people include frequent relocations, which can disrupt voting habits, and a lack of government interaction, with few young people directly receiving government benefits or paying substantial taxes. Consequently, this age group is often less targeted by political campaigns, fostering a cycle of disengagement. Conversely, the enactment of the Twenty-Sixth Amendment, which lowered the voting age to 18, was a direct response to the activism of young people in the 1960s, particularly due to the draft for the Vietnam War, indicating that youth can be politically active and passionate when they feel directly affected by government decisions.
