Teenage Citizens

Teenagers are dumb because that’s what is expected of us. Society is stuck in a reciprocal echo chamber, where low expectations lead to corresponding behavior. The remedy has the capacity to come from either side, but it would be better for us to take initiative and pull ourselves up rather than be brusquely yanked up into competence. What keeps us from doing this? 

 

In ancient Rome, the Andabata were gladiators that fought blindfolded. If they wandered too far away from each other, they would be prodded with spears and poles until they ran into each other again. While it is an unrealistic correlation, some days my peers and I may feel like gladiators in an educational arena where scholarships and Grade Point Averages push us back into combat. In short, the modern education system is flawed and unnecessarily complicated, which leads to stress for all parties involved. 

 

The world ping-pongs between two approaches to our unsteady generation. We receive big helpings of sappy mantras such as “dream big” and “you can do anything you put your mind to.” We float out of the guidance counselor’s office on a breeze of gentle encouragement, totally clueless regarding the questions we came there with in the first place. 

 

The second approach is militaristic. Sign up for the SAT. That number defines you. Visit eight colleges when you know exactly where you want to go, and it’s not any of them.  Apply, apply, apply. Apply yourself. Just because completion is in sight doesn’t mean you can let up; your last lab science class must have an identical or higher grade to the first one you took as a freshman. If you don’t want to go to college, then that’s totally fine. Except it’s not and you’re an incompetent bum if you don’t go. 

 

Obviously, we experience much stress. However, so does everyone else. Parents, siblings, busy neighbors, worn-out grocery store cashiers, and all the other people we interact with endure stress and heartache too. No one struggles in an entirely unique way. This is remindful of the verse from Ecclesiastes: “Nothing is new under the sun.”  Although in our challenges, we may feel like nobody can possibly understand what we’re going through, it’s not true. Feelings lie. Not only does God know us better than we know ourselves, also there have been so many trillions of people on Earth that at some point, somewhere, whatever happens now has happened before. So maybe we should shut up and be compassionate. 

 

Meanwhile, teenagers are excited about the future. I’m about to graduate high school, I have a driver’s license, and I’ll be old enough to vote in the next presidential election. I have talked with my friends about what they want to do after high school, and it’s a mixed bag. There are people with plans to start a business, serve in law enforcement, work in emergency services, begin a career in construction, and go to college to enter the medical field or the sciences. Pity the unnamed that has rotated between three in the span of a few months. The more important a decision is, the harder it is to make.  And frankly, many of us don’t know what we want to do. Why are we told to choose how we will spend the rest of our lives at a time when our brains aren’t yet fully developed?

 

Even with all the young and ambitious people around me, I am genuinely concerned about the future of America. We had a comparatively great beginning, but things have grown much worse since then. The country desperately needs to return to constitutional law. Most of all, it needs to quit rebelling against God’s law. It’s no wonder that current governmental legislation is a twisted pile of contradictions, since the government does not acknowledge a higher power.  

 

It’s not common for a person my age to care about civics. This is for a number of reasons. In South Carolina, only one measly half-credit of government class is required to graduate high school, which is completely illogical, especially compared to the required four math credits and three science credits. However, as a homeschooler I have been blessed with the ability to emphasize the subjects that most interest me, which are government and writing. 

 

 In 7^th grade, I took civics class at my homeschool co-op. Mrs. Webster was an awesome teacher. I came home from school with questions. Why are there two legislative chambers? Why are there so many courts? Why is there a two-party system, and why are the parties always fighting? Once I started asking my father these questions, I discovered that he possessed a vault of knowledge concerning government and politics that I had never heard about before. All it took to unlock it was a few questions. I received a pocket-sized copy of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution at the Homeschool Convention in 2019. I highlighted, paperclipped, underlined, and generally abused that little booklet with no regard for its tangible value in my earnestness to tap into a value of a different kind. Now I have two copies, the old one and a newer one, which I keep whole and unmarred. 

 

My pocket Constitution came along with me to classes with Teen Pact, Generation Joshua, and The Center for Self-Government, which were all experiences that pulled me out of my comfort zone because they made me step out and speak. The Teen Pact class I went to was four days long and included a mock legislature and elections, morning and evening devotionals, and discussion of political topics with an emphasis on critical thinking. The Generation Joshua class I got to attend was a two-day long simulation of the United Nations. At Teen Pact and Generation Joshua, I met other young people who care about government and want to educate themselves. The Center for Self-Government isn’t marketed specifically for youth. In fact, in the class I attended, I was the youngest student by at least twenty years. There was no rule against youth and young adults attending the class, but either none cared enough to attend, or no one knew about it. 

 

Meeting other students at Teen Pact and Generation Joshua classes, I became more aware of the many public speakers, gifted writers, strong analysts, and hard workers in this generation. I always knew we had some potential, but it seemed I had underestimated us. At Teen Pact, I had the opportunity to spend time with a girl who shines on a competitive debate team. She spoke in front of the assembly, won a mock primary election, and provided some of the most in-depth research in the class, all while exhibiting a simultaneously intelligent and humble attitude. Many others were calm and confident behind the podium, prayed for each other in public, and showed general courtesy. It was impressive.  

 

Now that the importance of teenage political involvement has been established, here’s an explanation of its practicality. As for the legislative branch, there are many ways for teenagers and all citizens to be involved. Writing letters is my favorite, because it allows me to edit and perfect my message. Phone calls are also an option. According to my state senator, emails are most likely to be overlooked and lost, but they’re better than nothing. It depends on your situation and natural preferences. 

 

When should one write to legislators? There is no bad time, even though state general assemblies are not in session year-round. For the South Carolina legislature, it’s January through May. However, much planning occurs during the off months, so getting in touch then can be useful too.

 

Overall, the most important thing about communicating with legislators is to remember that they are people too. Most people contact their legislators only when they are displeased with them, which leads to frustration for the legislator and the constituent. It’s a good idea to commend them for things they have done well, even if it was just the way they voted on a bill. Build a relationship of respect and trust so that when an issue important to you comes up, you already have someone who will listen. If possible, assuming the best of public servants is preferable, just like with any other people. Although based on reality, the corrupt politician stereotype does not help anyone. 

 

At the same time, the fact that politicians are human also ought to lead us to speak with them firmly when appropriate. Never be rude, but if a legislator refuses to help pass an equal protection for the unborn bill, then it is alright to tell him he will not receive your vote in the next election. The same principle applies when the chamber considers passing a bill that directly opposes God’s word, like LGBTQ+ protection legislation. Treat legislators with respect, but don’t let them get away with promoting evil. 

 

As for the judicial and executive branches, I don’t have any experience communicating with them to speak of. All three branches of government are equally important and ought to be influenced by the citizens, though, so I intend to work on that. 

            

Lastly, teenagers ought not be excused from civic involvement, regardless of school and stress. In America, we are privileged to be able to influence and communicate with the government in a comparatively easy way and have no excuse for neglecting proceedings that directly impact not only our lives, but also the lives of others. Political involvement is one way that we can pull ourselves up out of a miry bog of complacency. 

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- Thankful