Why are so few young people interested in politics?

Question

I really love history and politics and I'm just shocked that it's hard to find someone to talk to about it. Especially girls, it seems to me that I am the only girl in my environment who can boast of knowledge about ancient Egypt or the Recession in the countries of Western Europe. Why do so many people consider it something boring, and generally exclusively male...

thatshydork · Accepted Answer

As a young person myself, I’m not gonna lie to you, I feel truly fucked over by the government and, from my point of view, any time it’s gotten just a wee bit better, the government either reverses it or finds a new way to fuck us over. I mean, you’d think a government who can commit mass gen0cide and cover it up for centuries would be able to enforce some new g*n laws to protect the kids who get sh0t at just for going to school but no. You’d think a government who claims to care about the future of our country would actually want to invest in the future generations and their education, health, and general well-being, but no. You’d think that a government that claims to be ‘for the people, by the people’ would actually invest in the safety, health, future, and well being of its citizens, but no. All they do is say “our thoughts and prayers go out to the community” and never say anything about it ever again as if there’s absolutely nothing they can do about it. The economy is shit, DEI has been erased, women no longer have the right to control their own bodies, and there’s mass deportations happening all over the country and that’s including the Native Americans who we stole this country from! Where the fuck are they supposed to go? They’ve got more of a right to be here then we do.

The only people the government actually cares about are their friends with deep pockets and themselves. They don’t give a shit about us civilians.

northerngal · Accepted Answer

Well if you watch TV you might have your answer. Politics is toxic. Partisan. Attracts the wrong kind of people. Any one who genuinely wants to he honest and make a difference soon become disillusioned and quit.

MisterWack · Accepted Answer

Politics are toxic and a lot of people are turned off by hostility & playing to their side… A lot of people feel they can’t express on individual issues or else face blow back from their side. The fact is, we need to be well rounded & well educated on a lot of issues and history. There are people who feel like nothing will change, one vote doesn’t make a difference, and the country will go to Hell without them.

I would like to say I believe when young people get out to vote in waves for issues that they care about beyond just the ‘election season drama’ the media pedals they’ll be able to shape the future because candidates will be fighting for their vote. If the youth feel like they don’t have a voice then run for office whether local or national level to achieve more than their contemporaries especially on issues like environment, pollution, monopolies, scams, cyber attacks, the economy, working with our allies overseas, bipartisanship, gun violence, mental health crisis, obesity, Alzheimers & Cancer Funding, fighting against Insurance Companies, ending war on drugs / war on terror, etc.

This country needs voters because without voters, we cannot have a Democratic process for the Republic our founders set forth. It would be a waste to not vote.

jamesgoldman · Accepted Answer

Because they are brain washed fools chasing clout on social media and watching the latest in 'reality' TV

It's funny like I was at the reunion a few months ago now as aside from drinking too much

The few boys were the best crop given it was myself, 2 finance guys and another in media talking about crypto, stocks and gold

Most of the girls were in dead end jobs and talking about the aforementioned stuff considering there were a good 20 girls in attendance

Anonymous · Answer

I think this is a due to a combination of factors.. A lot of it has to do with the way history is taught and presented at schools with an extreme focus on memorization of dates, names of battles and events, dry historical figures and factoids, without any use of visual material, such as images or videos or primary sources, which most people don't find relatable at all. I personally find historical fiction or movies much more interesting than actual history, because this way you're learning about the stories of actual people and can relate to them, as you see they're not that different from you and that human nature has always been the same. Then you go and research the actual events on your own.

I also dislike the overly romanticized, euricentric version of history that we learn at school that tend to overlook over important issues, such as slavery, colonialism, the subjugation of women in certain civilizations and patriarchy.

Also, a lot of people might have different interests/preferences. For example, I'm not interested in American football, or rap music, they're not my cup of tea, or something I particularly care about. Likewise other people might prefer mathematics/physics or stem courses over arts & humanities.

As for politics, a lot of young people are frustrated and disillusioned with it and feel that nothing will ever change, no matter what they do. Modern politics is very depressing, toxic and emotionally charged , which can be draining. Lastly, social media also plays a big role, as not only it desensitizes us to negativity, but also instills a sense of hopelessness and encourages the notion that others' suffering is a lost cause.

LickwidSkie · Answer

For me, it's many reasons.
-I don't believe what most of them say because the just say what people want to hear.
-Most only really work in the interests of themselves and the wealthy/powerful.
-Politics have been made into a joke. Presidential elections are more about trashing each other like they're on some kind of reality TV drama show than talking about how they're going to help the country.
-Our government is a ceasepool of greed and corruption. Consider a few things. The Chrisleys went to jail for bank fraud. Martha Steward went to jail for insider trading. When the housing market crashed a couple of decades ago because they were giving out bad loans, one guy went to jail and he wasn't even one of the big players; just a sacrificial lamb to quell public outrage. They only care when it's the rich people's and government's money. They're perfecty fine with it's corporations and rich people screwing over the general public. Also, they threw these celebrities in jail for financial crimes, but Epstien's client list... they have an entire list of child molestors they're turning a blind eye to because of who's on it.

These are just a few reaons. I could go on and on but I think you get the picture.

D_Bone_Steak · Answer

Here is the sad truth... they are more worried about getting to bed on time, getting to work the next morning, and to be honest what little free time they do have is spent on social media or getting high or drunk while they watch a little bit of bullshit on their TV... if even that much free time.

USAID was funding the likes of CNN and MSNBC and they got their only political opinions from there in a small window of time and that was that.

Someone like me... I spent my younger years slicing people's throats open in their sleep, and never being allowed to sleep because I got to kill people and watch oil fires during a dust storm in some country and I had no business being there. So I don't work at all now and I have the time to fuck around with downloading Hunter Biden's laptop as they're being spoon-fed that it's just Russian disinformation.

I'm not trying to hate on them... I feel sorry for them in fact. They simply don't have the time to spend a couple hours dry humping the newest leftest claim that Trump is Hitler and finding retorts to every single one of their dumb ass regurgitated talking points. Think about that for a bit... give a normie 2 hours of free time... you can't expect them to do that or enjoy doing that.

Even some raging leftest on here with TDS... I bet you they don't have a job or a life either. Just is what it is. The only people that have time for this shit at all have no job or a life. How do I know? I can go to one of their posts right now and just troll the shit out of them and they will instantly respond. I'm talking wee hours of the night, during the day, and it don't matter when... they have no life too. Probably retired like me or their rich or something.

Being interested in this shit is a luxury and most young people can't afford it. That's my two cents on it.

molonski2 · Answer

Firstly I commend you.

But your question involves politics , then you go on to speak out the history of Europe , yes all are relevant to politics for sure , and we learn from Political history , which I think is what you are really talking about.

But in answer to your question USA as an example , and just read some posters here many believe its just Red v Blue. so the polarisation is just ludicrous , then they watch TV and see people being killed , and all horrendous sorts of stuff and you can kind of understand in this highly aggressive environment why many ( particularly females ) just turn off.

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

Their self-interested elders are greedying up everything, including political power, holding onto office until their 70's,80's and older.(See:Centennarian South Carolina U. S. Sen., J. Strom Thurmond, nonagenarian California U. S. Senator Dianne Feinstein,;Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley is ninety, and plenty of eighty-year-olds are ensconced in various offices throughout the USA, which has become a gerontocracy (rule of the aged). These people vote themselves goodies like Social Security increases while often vetoing programs which aid children and youth.

In the meantime, bright youngsters who'd be a boon to the body politic see senior selfishness and shy away from participation in the process, denying citizens of new faces and ideals.

tzdc21 · Answer

Because it sucks lol. Politics dies more harm than good abd it's a poison. Everything it touches turns to ruin. It divides people, causes unnecessary drama, it's run by people with their own agendas that may or may not work against you, and turns any peaceful environment onto a place of turmoil.

TheSpaceGnome · Answer

Because the entire political/government/voting system is a scam in every way that it can be.
Tossed out ballots.
Changing votes on voting machines.
Gerrymandering districts.
State based votes.
The electoral collage.
Vote options being politicians instead of bills.

its all worthless, and much of the younger generations are wise to this.

Anonymous · Answer

young people just want to live their life and not worry about other people's lives. they have enough responsibilities on their own

politics tends to be more male-dominated because the male brain is wired for macro large scale problem solving

Cormac995 · Answer

because the republicans and democrats are the same people just pretending to be on different sides. The only party in America is the 1% party this election made that very clear.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

They are already too busy following the lives of worthless celebrities. People talking about a European recession are losers, people talking about Britney Spears‘ vagina pictures are winnars!!! 🙄

genericname85 · Answer

cause even understanding politics on a very basic level needs a lot of life experience. that's why you see youg people who are interested in politics often be radical. cause they aren't getting it and fall for simplistic populist propaganda.

HungTexan · Answer

Politics have become so polarized and toxic, I’m guessing a lot of people are turned off at the idea.

Astarlessnightsky · Answer

Because politics aren't interested in young people.

Agape93 · Answer

Because it's corrupt to the point politicians can and are going to do whatever they want anyways

DrPepper12 · Answer

History teacher here and not my experience. Half my dept was women and AP classes were often women dominated.

Anonymous · Answer

It may be just your area. Where I live a lot more young people are interested in politics than old people are, especially the women.

Magda1992 · Answer

Because both sides promis chances but never changes.

Dargil · Answer

Government schools ignore civics and history.

exitseven · Answer

Young people are not interested on much of anything,

Staximus · Answer

History is fascinating and politics are aggravating. Politicians are corrupt about 90% of the time

Uglygaypoorcoward94 · Answer

i enjoy politics but I lack the respect and communication skills to get anywhere

Anonymous · Answer

It's cause it's all made up to opress people. We didn't have politics for thousands of years and those were the best years of human history.

NicholasRedone · Answer

Tell me about it 😜 🤣

KostasKouvalis · Answer

Are they? That's not the case in the US

jahaims · Answer

Because they are fucked either way

PrettyCrumblBb · Answer

I'm starting to hate politics

Crazzyyworld · Answer

They r interested in Taylor swift

Why are so few young people interested in politics?

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