voting age on australia
...athe the air still tainted by an unsigned Kyoto Protocol, and our taxes go to paying for weapons that kill people the same age as ourselves. We should have a say I the things that affect us. This is what I believe and this is why I have chosen this topic. I will be using in depth interviews to understand people’s feelings on the issue and focus groups to analyse the issue. I’ll speak to young people and older people to cover the cross-cultural component of the PIP. I will also be trying to interview two local politicians by phone – one who is for the change and one against it. This topic relates to culture because it is a political issue and our political structure is one of the means by which our society holds itself together. It is part of our culture. This PIP relates to culture, because it is through an educational system that I am communicating my interests, needs, beliefs and values. The topic relates to society because our government and our politicians have a relation ship with us, one that I wish to change. The micro world of ones feeling and beliefs can be expressed in the macro world through voting. The topic relates to time because our society possesses the processes of continuity and change over time. The fact that youth have not been allowed to vote and still can’t shows continuity, while the groups and organizations that support youth suffrage show the beginnings of change. This topic relates to environment because the environment one grows up in is very important to who you will eventually become. If people learn to live in an environment where their opinions are not respected, they may end up apathetic when the time comes for them to express their views. This topic especially relates to person, because it is about individuals and their rights. Youths are unequal citizens of this country. Methodology Section The Research Questions around which my PIP is structured are: -How do people of varying ages feel about changing the voting age to 16? - How would this affect election results? - How would this affect services for young people? The data gathering instruments are a focus group of four adults of varying ages and sexes, a focus group of four teens between 16 and 18 of varying sexes and some in depth interview with local politicians of varying political parties. The focus groups will help me to ascertain how people feel about changing the voting age and their feelings about the second two research questions. The in depth interviews will give me a clearer view of how this change would affect election results and services for young people. Data Gathering Instruments I’ll be using a focus group of 4 adults of varying ages, two male and two female, and a focus group of 4 people between 16 and 18, two male and two female. I’m using a focus group because they are very useful when trying to analyse an issue and looking for the feelings of the group. Although it is qualitative, this does not stop me using and discussing statistics. The questions I’ll be putting forward in the focus group are: ® Do you think 16 and 17 should be allowed to vote? -This question will tell me how people feel about the proposed change, answering the 1st research question. ® Do you think this vote should be compulsory? -This question will give me a clearer view of the first question. ® Do you think it would affect election results? If so, how? -This question will either strengthen or contrast with the answer given by the politicians for the same question. ® Do you think it would affect the amount of services available to young people? -This question will do the same as the above question. ® Were you aware that there is a movement to lower the voting age? -This question will show if people even thought about the issue or if it never entered their minds. I’ll be using in-depth interviews with several politicians to find out feelings on both sides of the issue in the political world. The questions I’ll be asking in the in-depth interviews are: ® Do you think 16 and 17 should be allowed to vote? -This question will ascertain the politician’s position on the issue. ®Why/Why not? -This question will help me to understand the reasons behind their position or it will strengthen the reasons I already understand. It could give a new perspective. ® Do you think it would affect election results? If so, how? -This question will hopefully give an informed prediction, answering the 2nd research question. ® Do you think it would affect the amount of services available to young people? -This question will hopefully give an informed prediction, answering the 3rd research question. ®What would you say to the comment that poli...