We're seeing the result of the end of teaching Civics in our schools.

[MineralMan]

I'm not sure when it stopped, but people in the younger generations seem to have a limited understanding of how our system of government works. Expectations of instant solutions to problems seem to be the norm, and many younger voters appear not to understand what real change actually requires.

I understand the impatience. I was young once, myself. But, unlike the reluctant younger voters these days, I did understand that the key to making change happen began at the polling place, but actual changes took years or even decades to actually take effect.

Understanding what the actual powers of a President are helps to understand why simply electing a President who wants to make college debt go away, for example, doesn't mean that it can be done by decree. Instead, it takes legislation passing in Congress and signed by a President. It takes legislation in individual states, too.

It can be difficult to take a long view of things when you're young. I understand that. I was there at one time. But, not voting does nothing to promote changes. That's so shortsighted that anyone who is capable of thinking should understand that. Voting for candidates with no chance of winning doesn't help, either. It only helps those who oppose all progressive change to win.

I'm an old man, now. But, I have no trouble remembering my own impatient years. Despite that impatience, I tried my best to elect people who would try to make the necessary changes. They didn't always win, but they always had my vote and my support.

Act today, but always keep the future in mind and act accordingly. That's my advice, for what it's worth.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I appreciate it.

[madaboutharry]

1. I agree with what you say here.

But I think it goes beyond younger Americans. I think there is a profound ignorance about how government works among the general population; even among those who did have lessons in school about how the powers of government work and are balanced. I have no answers as to why. But I read an article not long ago that only 18% of Americans have read a book since graduating high school. Americans suffer from willful ignorance.

[MineralMan]

2. Yes. It's an endemic problem with all age groups.

But, when you look at voter turnout over time, youthful voters are always the least likely to show up and vote. It's not just now. That has always been the case. Right now, it's the millennials who are the least likely to vote, but it has always been that age group who failed to turn out, as far back as I can remember.

I'd like to encourage younger people to change that pattern and, instead, be the group with the largest turnout numbers. Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing? If they turned out in percentages larger than any other group, I guarantee that they'd get more attention from the political system. For that reason alone, they should flock to the polling place.

[vlyons]

3. At minimum it takes 50 years

Historically, it takes a minimum of 50 to 100 years to effect political change. Look how long it took to outlaw Jim Crow laws, give women the right to vote, enact social security and medicare, extend affordable healthcare to more Americans, and we still have completed that one.

[MineralMan]

4. It doesn't have to take that long. Truly.

The beginnings of changes happen more quickly. For example, I was a civil rights activist in the mid-60s. We got civil rights legislation pretty damned quickly, although it took longer for those changes to actually happen. Women got the right to vote by demanding it.

You're right that the actual changes take longer, but they can't happen without being started. Nations have huge inertia, so changing their direction is a slow process. It's a process, however, that must have a beginning, or the changes never happen.

Voting is a crucial part of initiating change.

[Blue Idaho]

5. Not every school has stopped teaching "civics." nt.

[MineralMan]

6. I suppose not. It is not a core subject any longer, though.

We had civics and government classes all through my own schooling. Even in grammar school. It was a core subject.

[Blue Idaho]

7. all 50 states and the District of Columbia

Require civics be taught and proficiency measured in the 8th and 12th grade. So yes, it is required. Your argument would be better framed if you said the outcomes measurement of those tests were pretty lousy.

While not all agree, the national civics education organizations are now pushing for students being able to pass a US citizenship test prior to graduation. So there may be hope for improvement.

[citood]

8. Many have no interest in how government works

because they perceive it as either not working, or only working for the well connected.

I recently tried to convince a colleague to vote (he's 46 btw). His response - if voting could really make a difference, it would be illegal.

IOW, he believes politics is a big charade, and behind the scenes, the real deals are made...without any input from the people.

Not my opinion, but a snapshot of opinion out there.

[maxsolomon]

10. then how do the roads get plowed? how are there cops?

they know there are giant aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines circling the globe, right?

government obviously works - they just don't think it helps THEM as much as they think it should.

resentment is the basis of conservatism.

[citood]

16. "resentment is the basis of conservatism. "

Trust me, this colleague is not a conservative. But for the reasons stated, he feels its pointless to vote...which is why I've been leaning on him to vote (or at least register, as a start). He really doesn't track politics very much...claims to not have time. Looking at voter turn-out rates, I'd say his is a common outlook.

Not resentment as much as resignation.

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

9. Teachers teach only what kids need to know to pass tests for funding

That's the problem. Tying funding to whether or not kids pass tests is not helpful and has contributed to kids not knowing all they need to know.

[maxsolomon]

11. I took US History and World Government my sophomore year of HS

a year early. the teacher suspected me of cheating, but I'd grown up with a lavishly-illustrated encyclopedia of American History that I'd read cover to cover multiple times.

my observation: some kids just don't pay attention. now, because they have to pay taxes, they think they're constitutional scholars and vote GOP.

[Hekate]

12. Agreed

[Adrahil]

13. Where don't they teach it?

They do at my daughter's school.

[Dem2]

14. Agreed - K&R

I took Civics and am amazed at how little people understand about our system of government.

[Fresh_Start]

15. have you looked at the Trump supporters?

Are you talking about changes made 50 years ago?
Cause those supporters aren't recent high school grads.

[MineralMan]

17. Older Trump supporters were picking their noses

and reading comic books during civics classes. They learned nothing.