The Power of Student Movements

Whether you believe it or not, students have impacted much of the nationwide reforms that occur. Being a student of under 18 doesn’t mean you aren’t aware of the world around you. There are many instances where the issues of politics impact the daily lives of young adults. 

Consider the number of school shootings that have occurred in the last decade that have happened at K-12 schools. 

(https://www.chds.us/ssdb/active-shooter-incidents-by-year/)

Following these incidents, the shared blame of its cause has been the loose gun laws that have allowed firearms to get into the wrong hands that eventually take them out on minors. Minors who aren’t even at the age to vote to make a change against an issue directly affecting them. These students are aware of the politics surrounding them, yet cannot do vote to make a difference. 

While this age limit can create a dull in students’ hope in making a change, voting isn’t the only action that can make an impact. Students are getting their voices heard through actions of protest on political issues. As a result of the 2018 mass shooting in Parkland, Florida at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, students have created a movement known as, Never Again. With nationwide protests and walkouts, students have allowed their words to be heard by the public. This movement is one of many that student activist has created in aiding in the awareness of issues that directly affect them but cannot be dealt with through voting. 

As a result, while voting as soon as you reach the age of 18 is important, being of a younger age doesn’t limit the political impact you can have as a minor. 

Green, Matthew. “Too Young to Vote, Old Enough to Act: A Brief History of Major Youth-Led Movements.” KQED, 30 Apr. 2019, www.kqed.org/lowdown/30275/the-kids-are-all-right-a-timeline-of-youth-led-movements-that-changed-the-nation.