I think that it is fair to say that not many young people give a second thought about politics. Today’s youth are more likely to vote for their favorite singers in "American Idol" or "The Voice" rather than their nation’s president. According to a political science professor at the University of Illinois, there are students in his classes who are not even aware of the three branches of government. He is worried that too many people rely on campaign ads and Internet information for political knowledge.
To reverse this trend, there have been many campaigns by the national media and celebrities to encourage young people to play a more active role in politics such as the “Vote or Die” campaign led by P. Diddy. The Cornellian, Cornell University's student newspaper, described an instance that occurred in 2008, during which the Intercollegiate Studies Institute gave surveys to 2,500 adults. The surveys asked basic questions relating to the U.S. government, economic policies and history. When the results came back, it was discovered that everyone had failed. When Puff Daddy can’t save our country, I don’t know who can.
As the Arizona legislative sessions starts off 2015, the state could already be facing a major decision that could help reverse this trend among the state's youth. Arizona Senate Bill 1029 could be one of the most impactful in 2015 because it would change existing law to require high school seniors to pass a civics test before receiving a diploma. If this bill gets recognition and is eventually passed, it would mean great things for Arizona’s political landscape.
When students are required to study civics and government, they have no choice but to learn how the political process functions and interacts with the economic processes of the country. The passing of this bill would encourage students to form opinions and actively participate in the politics that often dictate the world around them.
Political issues that directly effect the lives of the young people — such as controversies over minimum wage or tax hikes — can become more understandable and clear to those who would otherwise not care about failing a government class because their diploma did not depend on it. The development of opinions on controversial issues in politics leads to informed voting and more active participation from young voters.
The most important thing that comes from the study of civics and government is the understanding of one’s Constitutional rights. Most people only have vague ideas of both their rights and the limitations of the government. To be able to understand the Bill of Rights is extremely important to individual freedoms of the American people.
SB 1029 is a much needed requirement for Arizona's high school seniors. By holding students accountable with the dangling of a coveted diploma before them, the state is attempting to create more involved citizens that live up to their civic duties. The major consequence of not receiving a high school diploma is enough to get even the laziest of seniors to start caring about politics — or their grades at the very least. Arizona Senate Bill 1029 might not be the ultimate solution, but it is a step in the right direction towards fixing voter apathy in the state of Arizona.
Reach the columnist at noahdon@msn.com or follow @NoahSmith1996 on Twitter.
Editor’s note: The opinions presented in this column are the author’s and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
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