The Youth Need to Get Involved in Politics

I am one of very few students in my area with an interest in politics. Or so it seems.

Whenever I discuss attempt to discuss politics with other people my age, they switch off completely. For them, it’s boring. And for me, that stance is saddening. Politics — both national and international — affect every single person, in some manner.

Secondary school is notorious for not preparing students for the harsh realities of life, for example, how to deal with personal finances. Politics is another main aspect that doesn’t get touched on very much. Hell, I still don’t fully understand our electoral system, or how the Oireachtas operates.

But these are, ultimately, important things to understand. Lack of understanding of current affairs, and our political system, has lead to the continuation of “civil war politics”, and the normality of “parish pump politics”. That is, our youth either vote the same way their parents vote (Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil), or vote for a popular figure in the area. These are both harmful practises. People need to be vigilant and critical when voting, not passive.

If you’re an Irish teenager reading this, please please please, open your eyes. Is this the world you want to live in? Are you content with how our public services operates? Our healthcare system? Do you wish you could be part of the solution to our current homelessness situation? Do you think we need criminal sanctions for people who abuse others online, or are you an advocate for Internet rights and freedom of speech?

Get up, and get involved. Politics isn’t as scary as you think.