Do you think a fifteen year old can form coherent political views ?

[Progressivism]

I am that age and I think I'm capable of that ability.That's one of the reasons why I lurk on this board at 1:15 in the morning.I've heard some here say,in response to the "rising" of Jonathan Krohn, that we should never hear what a boy of his age (14), has to say about politics.So, I created this topic to ask the question on whether you'd think a young teenager can do what is outlined in the topic title.

P.S I'll be off to bed shortly,I'll elaborate on my political views tomorrow.

[Unvanguard]

1. Of course. I certainly did. n/t

[JCMach1]

2. My 14 and 11 year old daughters do just fine

Although definitely the youngest is a little more DLC. My 14 year old is an absolute lefty.

[DaveinMD]

3. of course

My political views were formed by the time I was 12 years old. Now I work in politics full time. Always stand up for your views, but be willing to learn more.

[TCJ70]

4. Everybody's different...

...I didn't have a good grasp on politics until about 20.

[FrenchieCat]

5. Depend on the 15 year old, I would suggest.

But I don't see why not. There are some folks older than Methuselah who don't have the logic of a 10 year old, let alone one 5 years older than that!

[Kablooie]

30. Just like it depends on the 35 year old too.

[XemaSab]

6. Of course, as long as you don't ever think you're set in your ways

Hell, I've known 60 year olds who had some learning ahead of them. :P

[bluestateguy]

7. Yes

But I'll be dammed if a 14 year old should be treated as some kind of an expert or opinion leader. That's silly.

[abq e streeter]

8. absolutely--although hopefully they'll keep being refined as you grow and mature

intellectually. But your basic values that form your political outlook can certainly be in place by that age. They were for me, and I'd guess, for many on this site.

[Douglas Carpenter]

9. I had very strong political opinions by the time I was thirteen or fourteen

I think I knew what I was talking about just as well as most of my teachers or other adults.

I would only say that for a person who is serious about understanding politics; abstract, skeptical and critical thinking usually increases with age - provided one is genuinely interested and serious about politics or any other subject for that matter. But few Americans acquire that level of interest and critical thinking skills when it comes to politics even when they are much older.

[tularetom]

10. Some can, some can't, some don't even care

Attitude is a big part of it.

You appear to be a modest, thoughtful kid who is capable of introspection and independent judgment.

That Jonathn Krohn however, sounds like a smug little prick who thinks he has all the answers, when in reality he is just a sponge soaking up the right wing talking points fed to him by his betters.

[alp227]

11. Not yet; give kids some time to learn and do the research then make up their mind

"Coherent" would hardly describe the teenager's views unless said teen is highly educated and informed.

[Orrex]

12. I don't think that 15-year-olds should be up past 1:00AM on school nights, young man!

Certainly a 15-year-old can have coherent political views. I didn't, at least not in a way that I could have articulated, and I didn't know anything about the labels "left" and "right," but many of the political views that I now hold were already formed by my mid-teens.


15-year-olds are at a disadvantage in that they lack the life experience that often helps to form other people's political views. Teenagers can still develop reasonable, legitimate views, but it can be harder to frame them in a context that's relevant to life. Additionally, many teenagers simply don't formally articulate their political views, even when they hold them, so the rare young person who's interested in politics can seem like an oddity.


In any case, I don't think there's any reason to worry that your views aren't coherent or legitimate.

[JI7]

13. yes, some are able to, even more so than people who are older, it's not about age

as much as how informed you are.

[Radical Activist]

14. 15 year olds have a greater right to express their views on many issues than those over 50.

The negative impacts of global warming will be experienced by the young. Those over 50 won't live long enough to suffer the full consequences of their generation's actions. The country would be on a better path if decisions were made by those under 21, 2/3rds of whom voted for Obama and support clean energy.

[wtmusic]

15. Of course. Absolutely.

I would guess by the maturity of your post that your views are more coherent than many who are far older on this board.

Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. :thumbsup:

[TheKentuckian]

16. I was cracked out on CSPAN by then for sure

[WCGreen]

17. I marched in the first Earth Day march way back in 1970 when I was 12

[wtmusic]

51. That was a memorable experience for this 12-yr-old too

Then it was all about "pollution", before climate change was a blip on the radar

:thumbsup:

[WCGreen]

62. They had bacterial warnings at the beaches along Lake Erie

all summer...

No swimming in the lake.

That's what got me going.

[lbrtbell]

18. Rachel Maddow & Keith Olbermann managed

So did I. Of course you can! It's not about age, it's about how well your mind works. You're obviously very intelligent, so don't let ANYBODY tell you that you aren't smart enough to do something, because of your age. :)

[ThomCat]

19. Some people can manage just fine at 15.

Others won't be able to manage it at any age.

Different people manage different levels of depth, coherence and sophistication in their political thoughts and views at different ages. There is no one time-line or scale.

:shrug:

[napi21]

20. O think it depends on each individual young teen. Spme certain;y can

and be quite cohearent in their opinions.But some really don't pay attention to politics and if asked bor n opinion, simply respond with what little of their parents opinions they heard in passing.

[FreeState]

21. Everyones vote counts equally

I realise you can't vote - but the same principle counts here - your opinions are just as valid as a 99 year olds.

[eridani]

22. Of course. It's the start of a life-long process n/t

[Golden Raisin]

23. Certainly possible but it

depends on and varies from individual to individual. Not all 15-year-olds (or 60-year-olds) are alike. On a tangential subject I am curious. Do you have any course in your school curriculum that covers American Government or what used to be called "Civics"? (i.e. Detailed reading and study of the Constitution/Bill of Rights, explanation of aspects of government such as the Electoral College, filibusters, etc.)

[immoderate]

24. Coherent? Yes. But is it right?

That's OK though. I expect that thinking people will refine what they think over their lives.

--imm

[ezgoingrl]

25. My 15 year old son can and in fact sometimes

he is better at articulating his views than I am at articulating mine!

[Festivito]

26. Don't worry about some of the people here being dismissive.

I don't care if you're 5, 15, or 115. You write a fine set of sentences. Just keep doing it if you find benefit to yourself in doing so.

DO NOT confuse this as socializing.
DO NOT confuse keypad typing as exercise.
And, although this can be a fun game, DO play games and have fun with real people.

That may not have been needed to be said to you, however, there are some that need it said to them, so I said it anyway.

Welcome, and have a good time. Oh, I hope you can find a tough skin to wear around here, there are some who will try to drive you away no matter who or what you are: 15 or 50. Just let them go on their way if you can. Good luck with that.

[dysfunctional press]

27. some probably can...some probably can't.

but that's probably true of almost any age with at least two digits.

although- hopefully the amount that can increases with age.

[FunkyLeprechaun]

28. I looked through my 7th Grade Journal

I turned 15 at the end of that school year.

I talked about my love of the history of the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln and thought the R party was "pretty good", this was 1996. I think I should have written that the Republican party of the 1860s was different to the Republican Party of the nineties because it sounded like I was a Republican at the time, when I actually wasn't. I rooted for Bill Clinton later that autumn. I didn't really follow politics full time (aside from collecting political buttons) until after the 2000 debacle.

I learnt of the differences in the political parties in 11th grade history class and in more detail in my second year of University class.

[leftofcool]

29. Yes,of course they can, now get that homework done and get to bed.

15 year olds need 8-9 hours of sleep so you "lurk" at a reasonable hour.

[ChicagoSuz219]

31. Of course they can...

...however, I heard this kid interviewed & all he did was spout Republican talking points. I mean how many 14-year old boys you know give a flying f*ck about Tort Reform? LOL

It was embarrassing...

[mikehiggins]

32. no problem

At 16 I was a YAF-er (back when Barry Goldwater still made sense)

A year or so later one of my best buds was the son of the head of the USCP.

Kids have less baggage to carry than adults. Sometimes that makes them think straighter.

One reason, perhaps, that our society tries to make them nothing but consuming units.

[tavalon]

33. We have someone on this board who rose to fame at about 15

so, of course, people your age can form coherent political views. I wish I had at that age.

[ehrnst]

34. Depends on a lot of different things - just like it would with a 40 year old.

First, define "coherent" - if you are 'coherent' and have political views, does that make the political views coherent?

Also, I think the term "political views" could use some clarification. There are politics, and there is "the political" which can often involve different subjects altogether. One can be a politically savvy person in areas other than legislation.

Second, while age does not guarantee maturity of thought process, it certainly has an effect. I had definite political views at 15, and I look back and see that many of them were based on what I experienced as a 15 year old in a small farming community. (Granted, this was pre-internet, and that made my potential world view much more limited than someone that has internet access.)

The years I have lived as an adult have changed some of my political veiws ( on legislation, and the idea of what makes a good politician.)

[KittyWampus]

35. Yes, but we all evolve over time. So your views may alter or become refined. Life experience

colors our view of reality.

[saltpoint]

36. There are much older adults who can't form coherent political views.

Witness Jim Inhofe, for example.

In less than a year the society gives that 15 year old a driver's license to operate vehicles on the nation's roads, so if the notion is that a teenager can be a responsible driver I suppose he or she can also be an informed voter with a coherent political view.

Sure. Why not?

[seabeyond]

37. i think the 15 yr old can be very informed and articulate in belief. i also think

the 15 yr old that is not only interested in what is going on around them, and actively searches out info, but is also aware that limited years means limited perspective, ergo is consciously open to other thoughts, opinions and idea are absolutely awesome.

i think it is important we all listen to one another at all ages to see and hear different perspectives. but i think it is especially important for our young to be open to listening to others cause they are gaining their thought pattern from limited info and experience and so in need of being open

[Dappleganger]

38. Sure can! Our 18 and 16 year olds had at that age...

and our 14 year old is following in their footsteps. They've all brought some very fresh perspectives into the household with their viewpoints. My only fear is that because of disappointment they sink into cynicism and drop out of the civic duties, something which a LOT of young people are doing these days.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

39. Yes

By the time I was fifteen I was already an active member of a political party and was very well-informed and well-read about politics around the globe. Heck, by the time I was 17 people much older than me were asking for my advice on how to vote

That doesn't mean, however, that the views you hold at 15 are the ones you necessarily go through with in life. Life experiences may change many of the beliefs about issues and personalities that you feel so strongly and passionately about when you are 15. For instance, I was a lot more conservative on some issues that age but then when I went to university and out in the real world and learned about the reality of the situation and my views became more liberal. Don't think that you have all the answers at that age.

[Codeine]

40. A very few can. Most obviously can't.

Very few adults can manage to form coherent political views for that matter. Clearly you're capable of doing so, but do you honestly believe that most of your peers can manage to elaborate a critical analysis of anything?

[raccoon]

41. Yes. nt

[CTyankee]

42. Of course. But do go out in the world and read and travel widely.

For instance, on the topic of "socialized medicine" you would benefit by traveling to Western Europe to find out why we are the only industrialized nation on the planet that does not have it. Ask around. Go to countries where there are government run and operated universal health care and places like Switzerland and the Netherlands who have universal health care that is offered privately, but on a nonprofit basis and with strict regulation to keep access to health care affordable and accessible while also offering government assistance to people who can't afford to pay.

There are other examples of governing that differ from the U.S., but I'm just giving health care as an important example. You might also inquire about the higher ed situation there, too, since in many of those countries if you make the cut, you go to the university for free, thereby freeing you from the huge burden of student loans that dog you for years after you graduate.

Far too many Americans have never travelled outside their borders. They are often horrendously ignorant of the world picture...

[Jennicut]

43. Yes. I started getting into politics in 1992, during the election of Clinton vs HW Bush. I was 16.

I have been involved since. Some views become clearer over time. I am more liberal now and less naive at 34.
Stay involved, you won't regret it.

[Touchdown]

44. Of course! 15 year olds already know everything anyway.

Just ask them. Adults, parents & teachers all don't know crap about life and ONLY the 15 year old has it figured out. I knew everything at 15 years old. Now, at 44, I'm not sure I know ANYTHING!

10 minutes talking to a teenager could give you this insight.

[eShirl]

45. Yes; depends on the individual. n/t

[snooper2]

46. I would say for the most part no...

nt

[Echo In Light]

47. Yes, but more than likely VERY skewed views are formed via US propaganda & cult of celebrity bs

... instead of understanding the framework of how power works, and what its collective aims are in a phony rep democracy.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

48. Maybe not with the sophistication of a Paul Krugman, but coherent? Sensible? Reasonable? Of course.

[salguine]

49. Some of them can. I know a 12-year-old who can discuss in detail any

policy initiative or issue facing Congress and the government. My Dad is 73 years old and thinks Glenn Beck has his thumb on the pulse of the nation. You decide.

[pipi_k]

50. Anything is possible

Some 15 year olds can be quite reasonable and coherent, just like some 40 year olds can be just the opposite.

Just remember, as someone upthread said, and with which I agree...never assume that what you think today will be what you think tomorrow...or next year...or ten years from now.

In fact, it's even possible to hold two or more conflicting opinions...since many issues aren't just either/or.

Sometimes both sides have valid points. That's when things really get interesting.

:7

[Tailormyst]

52. I think they can, but I also think they are influenced by those around them

Especially parents.

[DireStrike]

53. Yep, I was fine then.

[4_TN_TITANS]

54. Absolutely...

I've got two very liberal daughters 12 & 14, the oldest has been on DU since she was 12. Keep spreading those political wings!

[Winterblues]

55. If America thought that as a whole you would be able to vote

Since America feels kids under eightteen are not ready for that civic responsibility then you guys will just have to deal with it..While some can, most can not...

[Monk06]

56. Yes unless you're Bil Kristol in which case none of your political views will ever be coherent

[insanity]

57. Depends on what you mean by coherent.

At 15 I had very strong and well-reasoned political opinions. By 16 or 17 I was running my high school's Young Democrats of America and was doing interviews for the nightly news. However, I do not think the views I held at those ages where entirely coherent. There was a lot of things I had not come to know yet and coming to understand this added a lot of nuances and depth to my political views. So yes, you can have well-informed and coherent political opinions at 15, but I do not think you really have the time and experiences to add depth until you've lived by yourself.

That said, many Americans do not have coherent political beliefs by the time they are 50, so you're obviously on the right track.

Keep an open mind, ask questions, and take time to enjoy being 15.

[tabbycat31]

58. I knew where I stood politically at 15

and my 15 yo cousin and her friend (same age) are begging me to take them to a DFA meeting when they visit me this summer (they're envious of the stickers on my car)

ETA I first got into politics at age 8 with the Daddy Bush v Dukakis election (I remember doing the Duakais campaign in school). My interest faded between presidential elections until recently. However I was right back up and running when it was Bush v. Clinton.

I had no formal civics education, although I did have social studies and 1 semester of "government" in high school which was so easy for me cause it was all about local government and that's what my dad works in.

[blondeatlast]

59. Yes--but if my similar-age son were on a board at 1:30 in the AM, he'd losde his internet

privileges.

[Uncle Joe]

60. Yes, but it depends on when said fifteen year old started paying attention to such things, and

I believe it's the exception, not the rule.

People have varying abilities or levels of aptitude, critical thinking skills, awareness, maturity and curiosity, some gain worldly knowledge sooner than others.

In general I believe wisdom comes with age and experiences, so if at 15 you have coherent political views, at 35 you should be a political genius, unless arrogance clouds your receptivity to new or contradictory information.

Thanks for the thread, Progessivism.

[krabigirl]

61. Yes, I do believe that they can. With experience, his views may change, but it doesn't mean (ro)

they aren't valid views now.

But no, I wouldn't be buying a political book about the views of a teenager.

[ThomWV]

63. The ability to ask the question informs the answer. Yes.

[Mister Ed]

64. Witness DU'er Ava

She caught the blogosphere's notice as a fifteen-year-old videographer whose incisive and original productions displayed a degree of courage and wisdom to which the rest of us should aspire.

Her website:
http://www.peacetakescourage.com/page-home.htm