The Kids Are Alright: Why It's Ok To Be Sick of the "Youth Vote," and Why You Should Re-Consider

On Tuesday, my colleague Amanda Carpenter made a bold confession, and suggested that I may agree: All this talk about the youth chatting Obama up online and rocking the vote and such is actually pretty... annoying. And she was right -- I sort of see where she's coming from (and I love that she admitted it might just be because she's a conservative, and McCain doesn't exactly have the millenials sold).

The rise of the "youth vote" concept has been exciting to track, but much in the style of the "Go Green!" motto and a silkscreened Che, it's kind of lost its kick by now. And yet, I think it's definitely worth something.

It shouldn't have happened this way -- chatter about the "youth vote" got packaged into a zillion trend pieces and online videos that got a bit too watered-down. Plus, we can easily be blamed for the fact that Obama might appear more like the new (the first?) king of pop-politics than the next great leader, since we spend too much free time blogging about his sick sunglasses and magazine covers (or is that just me?). But there's a whole other side to that "childish" idolatry and allowance-sponsored activism that really matters -- the democratic process is being beautifully strengthened in this election, and my age bracket deserves attention because every new vote counts.

There are two recent stories that everyone talked about and that made you want to go Yaaaaaaawn, as Amanda did, but also show the flip side. One, the feature on all the kids changing their middle name to Hussein, in protest of attacks on Obama's middle name; the other, the profile on Obama's young social networking guru. Both could make you roll your eyes, but, honestly, they're both really inspiring. While the buzz-words might make you groan, I will boldly confess: the innovation and resilient spirit that lies beneath youth vote babble is also pretty... awesome.

Don't you think so?

Crossposted at Glamour's election blog, Glamocracy.

Comments

[barackobama4prez]

So the youth being excited about politics is annoying? It's cool. Old folks are plenty annoying to the youth so I guess it balances out.

[Pquilson]

The problem with the "youth" vote is two-fold, as I see it:
1. They have not the life experience to choose a leader wisely; and
2. They tend to be active up to the time to vote, then do not vote.
I am not slamming the "youth" vote. I am very happy that they are involved, on either side. However, the historical trend is that they find something else to do on election day.

[CaptainObvious]

Personally, I hear more about the "hispanic vote" than I hear about the "youth vote". But that doesn't bother me - occasionally there are substantive discussions, and I find it interesting to hear some of their concerns.

No, what really annoys me is low-information voters pontificating about some jack-booted lockstep voting bloc as if they've actually done some real investigative journalism, when instead all they are doing is parroting the mainstream propaganda machine's talking points.

Good work.

PS: The world outside of Glamour magazine does occasionally discuss more substantive issues than Obama's sunglasses. Most of it goes unreported in the mainstream propaganda machine, but it's out there if you really care to look for it.

[Charmed]

Obama treats the younger crowd like they have common sense and they like that. Hell the adults even like being treated as adults. He keeps them involved in the process even if the primaries are over, which is wonderful, instead of hanging out they are learning new skills and working.

[kelzk]

I sat at a voter registration booth in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, of all places, and at least 10 or 12 KIDS, not just people in my age group (I'm 20), came up asking for Obama buttons and bumper stickers. Several even bought them. Yes, young people are apt to follow trends and do what's "cool," but there's a part of it that's more than that. And it was so inspiring and encouraging. Especially after getting flipped off by some idiot waiting at a traffic light, who was even so kind as to honk his horn first to get our attention.

What affected me the most, though, was the 8 or 9-year-old boy who came up to our table and said, "Is Obama gonna end the war?"

That's why we're doing this. That's why we volunteer. And the fact that they're engaged as they are now, as WE are now, says something for us. Whether it sticks around or not (and I'm optimistic that it will), it's a step in the right direction.

[texanna]

So, did you answer that kid that he said he would during the primary, but now he's not so sure how?

[riley85]

Young people are fickled and can quickly change their minds. Obama might lose their support over something as trivial as his dorky bicycle helmet or the realization that he is a graying middle-aged man hitting 50.
But then again their support of him is over something trivial too--they think he is cool.

It baffles me that some young people are crazy about Ron Paul but say McCain is too old. Ron Paul is older than McCain. Fickled I say... Obama better watch out. It won't be long before they dump him for another fad.

[CaptainObvious]

Wow. You really have you finger on the pulse of today's youth. Maybe Faux Sleaze will give you your own show.

[jzeigh]

I'm [so] tired of older generations trying to act as if the "youth" are all 14-year-old txt message addicts with no sense of personal responsibility and no continuity of purpose. That's just projection.

I was born after 1980 [so I'm a millennial] and I don't see my generation as any more self-absorbed [or self-indulged] than my Boomer parents' generation. What other generation staged a cultural uprising and then sold it all out for a job in middle management, a house in the suburbs and no reliable health care or retirement? If that's not following fads and trends against your own self-interest, I really don't know what is.

You Boomers [and even you GenXers] need to realize that my generation is your last hope. Treat us with some respect and realize that we might not be poised to sell out our morals the way that you have.

[barackobama4prez]

lol...i'm a genexer but i don't know about millenials being my last hope. I do agree that all people should be treated with respect until they blow it. And if you act childishly you deserve to be treated like a child. if you act mature and responsible you deserve to be treated the same as other adults, no matter your age.