“Whom are you voting for?” “My dad said [insert political figure here] was good, so I guess him.”
This is a dialogue that occurs far too often between young adults, and it is these same young adults who often do not end up at the polls.
Many young adults probably do not realize they may have different beliefs than those their parents hold.
According to the study, “The Influence of Parents in the Voting Behavior of Young People: A Look at the National Civic and Political Engagement of Young People Survey and the 2008 Presidential Election” by John Gross, which was completed prior to the 2008 presidential election, Americans aged 18-24 were 20 percent more likely to vote in the upcoming presidential election if their parents were politically interested.
This shows a correlation between young adults’ political interest and their parents.
The study argued that the more often the same young adults were more likely to vote the more they talked to their parents about political issues.
But there is a twist. The more often the young adults disagreed with their parents, the more they responded they would “definitely” be voting.
What does this mean? In an age where voter turnout is low, individuals have an opportunity to have their voice be heard.
Young adults should talk to their parents about political issues. Young adults should not find out in passing whom their parents are voting for, decide they support that candidate, then never do anything about it.
For people to grow and develop their own thoughts and ideas, it is important for them to not only do their own research, but also talk to others who are close to them.
Young adults need to sit down and find out the information necessary for them to form opinions. Sure, many have opinions, but how many can back those opinions up with responses other than, “That is how my mom and dad are voting.”
Why are voters whose opinions are at odds with those of their parents turning out to vote in such large numbers? It could be because these individuals have taken the time to do research on their own, and these are the individuals who care enough to form their own opinions.
That idea is only strengthened by the information from the study showing that young adults who talk to their parents frequently about political issues are more likely to show up at the polls.
If these young people care enough to talk to their parents about politics so much, it makes sense they would find out information on their own. It also makes sense they would be the ones showing up at the polls.
Wait, something does not quite make sense. People who care enough about shaping our future through voting do research and talk to their parents about political issues the most. It is these same people who disagree with their parents the most.
Well young adults, it is time to find out which candidate you side with. Maybe you’ll find out you do not agree with your parents, and maybe I’ll see you at the polls.