Young People and Democracy

Young People and Democracy

In the course of history, young people have always taken an important part in the growth and diffusion of rights. Starting with the Athenian democracy (where young adults were asked to take part in the government of the city and adolescents were introduced to Democracy at early ages), passing through the French revolution (were young people also took an important role in fighting the monarchic regime and spreading their dissatisfaction with the lack of freedom and rights), and even in modern days, as we experienced in the 25th of April (were young people first started demonstrations in the most iconic universities).

However, nowadays young people do not seem to be into politics. They just do not appreciate the work of hundreds, even millions, throughout history. As members of the society they don't even make use of their rights, and abdicate of their right to vote, thus denying their role as active politic members of the community and part of the whole democratic process.

Whose fault? A number of factors can be responsible. In my case, at school I do not see young people interested in discussing politics, and also the Portuguese school curriculum does not contribute that much to the construction of interested student-politicians. Another factor is the fact that with all of the corruption and judicial cases involving politicians, they're seriously discredited and so young people do not see them as role models, do not respect them and blame them for the problems in our country (although sometimes they're right…).

To fight this situation, I think teenagers should be given the chance to have an early contact with political organs, by visiting the Parliament, participating in discussions and debates about Democracy with other teenagers, researching about the goals Democracy achieved (such as human rights, freedom of speech and opinion, equality, among others), and so on, and those could all be organized in schools all around the country.

Some say that we would appreciate Democracy if we lived one day without it and without all that it brings associated, like basic rights and freedom, but I disagree. Personally, I couldn't imagine living in a non-democratic country and being conditioned in every aspect of my life, and so wool most teenagers, but I think there are better ways of making them appreciate Democracy, like the referred above.

It may not be the perfect political system, but it's as perfect as it gets, so we, as future political participating citizens, must enjoy it as we can, appreciate it, and fight for what we think is wrong in the system, thus contributing to the development and improvement of Democracy.

Pedro Gonçalves 12ºD2