Youths and Politics

It seems in general that youths are experiencing a disengagement from the world of politics. There's growing apathy towards political activites and politicians from the youths these days. I am unable to speak on behalf of all youths around the world, but based on what I gather (given I am a youth myself living in Singapore), this rising trend stems out from the education system in Singapore as well as the media.

Why do I state the education system in Singapore as a reason? Our education system focuses largely on results and academic accomplishment. One is viewed as a successful youth only if s/he gets good grades in school as a student. Due to the lack of proper motivation to gather knowledge, youths drag their feet to school everyday trying their best to cramp as much information provided to them by their teachers.

Because youths view reading and learning as something dry and boring, they prefer not to dabble with political issues during their free hours. Parents also discourgae their kids from doing anything else which is not related to their academics. With the increasing stress and pressure faced by youths, it is no wonder they would choose to veer away from politics.

Media also plays an important role in the growing apathy in youths towards politics. Youth channels or news which is directed to youths are usually not about politics, but about music videos, wannabe stars and tips on becoming beautiful or sexually attractive. Seeing that the media portrays youth as uniterested in politics, it becomes unfashionable for youngsters to be intellectual and/or dabble in political issues.

This objectification of youths pressurises them to conforms to a social stereotype of being 'cool, young and happening'. In addition, with materialism being the main aim of most youths, youths are becoming vested in its interest. Values like patriotism and interest in knowing more about countries decline as youth are turning towards MTV, McDonalds and money making.

Besides, the media portrays politics as something which is so complex and far away. Seeing that it is associated with so many negative factors including riots, violence and death, young adults may choose to divert their attention to something more positive and 'hip'. The mindset of many youths also evolve the idea that political issues are not for them and it only concerns the adults or those old and mature enough to handle.

Knowing that the media can bring about such indifference towards politics in the youths; the media can play a great role in motivating the youth to join politics as well. Attitundinal changes need to be brought about by reporting positive changes and developments in politics and not just negative or cynical news stories. By covering events where youths has helped in shaping the course of important political issues also help to change the stereotype that being involve in politics is not cool. In summary, by changing the focus of politics to the younger generation, the media may be able to compel changes in the existing mindsets as politics would no longer be deem as dry and/or boring.