There appear to be many laws against ageism in the state and federal government; however, the majority of them are directed to protect the elderly rather than the youth. For those who don’t know, ageism is age discrimination the same way racism is race discrimination. A person is treated differently just because he or she is of a different age than another person or group of people. As I said, there have been laws made against ageism such as no ageism in the workplace; however, most laws of ageism are only made to protect the elderly. I agree that it’s very important to make sure that the elder are treated fairly in the work place and throughout the world, but I strongly believed that the youth should be treated with respect too.
I am in no way trying to say that a 5 year old should be given the same laws and privlages as a 25 year old, however, by the age of 16, people have minds and opinions and should be able to use and express them the same way as an adult can. If a 16 year old has deep opinions, why can’t he or she write for a news paper? Why can’t a 12 year old whose parents are going through a divorce be in that court when a 14 year old can? Why can an 18 year old vote and not a 17 and ½ year old? If I walk into a club at the age of 20 and 364 days, sadly I will not be able to buy an alcoholic beverage. If I return to that same club one day later after having turned 21, I can buy liquor until my heart’s content. Does one day make that significant a difference? Sadly, to the law it does.
I believe that in most, if not all, circumstances, people should be judged based upon mental and emotional maturity level rather than upon physical maturity. Would you rather have a well informed 16 year old vote for the president or an uninformed 25 year old vote for the president? I’d take my chances with the 16 year old, wouldn’t you?
