Youth discrimination in the British EU referendum

[kellie]

So the result of the British referendum to leave the EU is going to fuck up a lot of young people's futures there, despite the fact that most of them wanted to stay. Despite the fact that polls showed that 75% of 18-24 year olds voted to stay in the EU. The higher the age groups, the higher the percentage voted to leave.

Accordingly, I wonder if the result might have been different had people under 18 been allowed to vote. A have a few young friends in the UK, and they are all very upset with what happened, but I think a somewhat hidden injustice here is the continued discrimination against the even younger generations who are "minors" and therefore have no say in their own futures.

It bothers me how most people accept this as a matter of fact, without realizing that almost every oppressed group in society has at one time or another been denied the right to vote, for the discriminatory reason of being seen as inferior or incapable of the responsibility involved. Now it's only the minors who are left in this position, and as a society we are nowhere near being able to see this as the oppression it clearly is.

So the young will continue to be treated like cattle to be herded into schools (and sometimes into homes with abusive adults) even if it is against their wills, because we adults "know better" what is best for them - ugh - and of course, they don't have any voice in what happens to them as far as the future of their own country. Feeling so pissed off about all this..

Ahem. Rant over.

[TheCancer]

A huge issue like that should never have been a direct initiative referendum. Democracy run that way is two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for dinner.

However, I don't necessarily agree with you that the outcome of the referendum will be harmful to The UK over the long term. Europe's immigration policy seems pretty insane.

Another point to consider is that the details of this thing are going to take years to iron out. A part of me wonders if it will ever even happen.

[Ky]

Also worth noting: The older demographics had a higher turnout than the younger ones. Young people exercising their right to vote is important, but the fact of the matter is that many who already possess that right aren't doing so.

As for the Brexit poll, there is one thing about the result that benefits all sides: People, including young people, are actually starting to talk at length about the issue. Whatever else may come, this is an enormous step forward when it comes to enfranchising and empowering future generations.

[SoulRiser]

I was just surprised that they actually let citizens vote for the decision themselves... everything else seems to be up to the people in power.

In theory, it might be better if more decisions were handled this way. Then again... people are dumb, so maybe not. And the votes were really close in the end. Maybe if they redo it, more people will actually vote because they'll realize they can make a difference in this case.

I always liked the EU's concept of people being able to freely move from country to country as long as they're allowed in any one of them. It'd be sad if they stopped that just because of a small percentage of assholes. I think the world would be a better place if the "borders" between lands were not between countries, but between smaller communities, like neighbourhoods, instead. People can manage smaller areas much better than bigger ones.

[TheCancer]

Yes

I agree with that

I wish there could be a type of non-racist tribal anarchism

[UnicornLionWolf]

I'm not really sure what the long-term impact will be for the British people. Some claim that the globalization that the EU is part of only benefits the upper classes.

As for immigration, the EU's policy of moving freely from country to country has positive and negative aspects. One positive aspect would be making things easier for tourists. On the other hand, there have been concerns about terrorists getting into Turkey and then to other parts of the EU.

[Prankster813]

Personally I support the leave campaign ( but I will admit Nigel Farage is cretin), as I believe the EU is un democratic and only really benefits large corporations and corrupt politicians, I honestly don't care who comes into the country as long as they aren't criminals, so the immigration side of the leave campaign I don't particularly agree with, but I agree with your overall point that we should have been able to vote regardless of our age.