Give young people the vote – they might do a better job | Letters

Prof Priscilla Alderson believes children understand serious decisions. Alison Leonard highlights the need for political education. David Ashton thinks children could restore politics and Andy Stelman draws comparisons with criminal responsibility

Zoe Williams (Six-year-olds voting? It’s not a crazy idea, 18 December) contends that no one “would say that a six-year-old could be capable of consent”, “or could be given responsibility for anything”. Our research has found that younger children are capable of consent, in terms of understanding what is involved, and making and being committed to a decision.

For example, some four-year-olds with type 1 diabetes can understand why they need daily injections. One told me, “Insulin is the key that turns sugar into energy”. She had been weak and ill for months before being diagnosed. She therefore deeply understood how her injections helped her, and she administered some herself.

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from Children | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2rK0Jda