Teenagers should learn about politics

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IMAGE / Mr. Darrick J. Puffer

Aniya Hightower

One of the fastest ways to lose the interest of most teenagers is by bringing up the subject of politics.

While there are actually some teenagers who find politics quite interesting and keep up with the political news frequently, many teenagers find politics boring.

In fact, I was one of those teenagers who did not care for politics until early last year.

I always described politics as being cut throat, and because of that I did not find politics necessary to understand or be knowledgeable about.

While I still hold the opinion that politics are cut throat, my opinion on politics changed once I realized how political affairs taking place in the world have a huge impact on people around me, on my future, and on my country.

As high school students, a few of us are of age or many of us will be of age soon to be involved in politics by simply voting, but without the proper knowledge about the political system, different political perspectives and the history of how our founding fathers wanted our government and country to run, we could potentially make decisions that go against everything that the founders of our country fought for.

We live in a democracy.

Our government system allows us to have a voice and allows us, as citizens, to decide what needs to change in our country.

We, the people, have the power, and whether or not you participate in politics, the outcome affects every citizen of the United States.

Mr. Andy Nester, political science teacher, thinks that understanding politics is important and feels his class is beneficial.

“I feel like it’s always necessary to understand the rules of the game, which is why a government class would be important,” Nester said.

As a junior, I am required to take political science, and I can say that this class has and will benefit me.

Political science has taught me that it is important for us as youth to know how our country works and how to question decisions made within our government.

Mr. Michael Whalen, economics teacher, feels that political news is more available to us today and has faith that today’s youth will participate in politics when the time comes.

“If the need arises for young people to step up and be politically active and involved, then I think they (today’s youth) will heed that calling and will do that, and I think in the coming years that will happen,” Whalen said.