Britain had to recoup some of the country’s financial losses defending its American colonies during the French and Indian War. For this reason, the colonists were taxed in high amounts followed by various tariffs that hindered their way of life. More importantly, colonists could not voice their grievances in parliament since colonists’ sitting representatives were not welcomed.
“No taxation without representation” originated during the American Revolution. The slogan was first used in colonial America during the 1760s as a form of protest for higher taxes that were imposed on imported British goods. On Oct 7th, 1765, the Stamp Act Congress attended a meeting that led nine colonies to declare the English monarchy had no right to tax colonists that lacked representation in parliament.
At the age of sixteen, citizens of the United States can legally obtain a driver’s license to operate a car, they can get married, leave home without a guardian’s consent, etc. Under Texas law, 16 or 17-year-olds have no restriction on the number of hours or times a day they may work.
The average annual pay for 16-year-olds in Texas is $28,766 a year or $2,397/month. A person under eighteen who works must pay taxes if they have an unearned income (through investment interest or gains) above $1,250 or if the child’s earned income exceeds $13,850. Most 16-year-olds working in the U.S. must pay taxes yet receive no recognition in government.
Currently, 16-year-olds are facing the same grievances colonists did two centuries ago as they pay taxes yet their voices are not heard in the government.
In the last presidential election, 70% of the voting-eligible population was registered to vote and out of that 70%, 61% voted. Out of this percentage, younger voters (ages 18-29) are the least likely to vote. As countries have extended voting rights to 16-year-olds, an increase in voter turnout has been noted. Voting turnouts are beneficial because it amplifies the importance of democracy in a country and diversifies the outcome of an election.
Habits are formed by cognitive associations between responses. These new behaviors become automatic and are done with little awareness. Most young citizens start their political lives as habitual nonvoters (citizens that only vote when motivated to) but slowly develop into habitual voters. Allowing 16-year-olds to vote will make voting a habit at an early age.
Voting is a civic responsibility and a citizen’s participation in civic life is essential to maintaining a democratic form of government. Civic education is knowledge of the government. Students are taught about the structures of government, procedures within those structures, and are given resources to be informed and engaged citizens.
Lowering the voting age to 16 will strengthen civic education. This is important because it helps people become more conscious of their voting patterns and become more aware of their government. Civic education specifically targets the younger generation because it can uplift and inspire students; helping them find their voices and use them effectively through voting.
16-year-olds also identify with the phrase formerly used by colonists, “no taxation without representation.” Both 16-year-olds and the government would greatly benefit from extending voting rights. Voting turnouts would increase, habits would be formed and civic education would be strengthened.
