Why Youth Matter

by Apathy is Boring Intern Patrick Burkhard — July 17, 2007

So we have established that young people don’t vote.  Who cares anyway, right?  We don’t want those lazy, pesky, meddlesome and complicated kids working with us anyways.  WRONG.  Youth are the key – we are the future after all!

Here’s 10 Reasons that you want to work with youth:

1.    We’re the Future:  Sorry to break this to you, but if you keep on relying on pensioners for votes, your party won’t be around in 10 years!

2.    You are supposed to be Our Teachers, remember?  Do the principles of socialization or parenting ring a bell for anyone? There was a time in some ancient society where a child would be raised by the whole community.  Isn’t that still supposed to be the case?  So be a leader and take it upon yourself to help educate and empower youth.

3.    Youth are Innovative and Creative:  Although you may think youth are unprofessional or lack experience, this fact can also be a strong point for you.  Often, those companies or organizations which are on the vanguard are the ones who risked the most or had the most innovative ideas.  Well, politics doesn’t have to be so stuffy either.  There used to be a ‘progressive’ party, remember?  Don’t be so scared of change.  You might as well listen to us now before we overthrow the system in 20 years anyways. 

4.    Youth are Fun:  Maybe it’s the idealism of youth, but young people are generally quite happy and are into having fun. People, adults more often then not, somehow forget that life is also about having some fun, not just working all the time.  Personally, I think it is the cubicles that crush our spirit, but I leave this one open for debate.

5.    We Come at a Cheap Price Tag:  Have you seen lately the types of jobs youth are faced with these days?  No one is hurrying to work at McDonalds.  Hiring youth, especially for summer employment, can be a good way to keep costs low as professional salaries can add up.  Take a chance on youth!

6.    Youth are Very Socially Involved:  Youth are still highly socially mobile.  They tend to travel in packs and like to discuss the details of their lives.  This can include the cool new political opportunity they have undertaken – so sign on some youth and get the word of mouth rolling.  Before you know it, you will have volunteers breaking down your door.  Want to put a policy through? Get youth behind it and watch the public opinion polls soar.   

7.    We’ll Admit It, Youth Will Help Your Image:  I assume that you have already read our piece on tokenism – so it would be ok for me to now say that by working with youth and visibly involving youth, you may attract more youth to you and your activities.  No tokenism though – give them something real to do!

8.    Youth are Motivated:  As I just said, youth are filled with idealism; it is basically bursting out of them.  Who better to support your reform campaign than youth, open minded people willing to try new things?

9.    They Have More Free Time:  Most youth do not have children and often have time and energy to donate to organizational activities.  This means running around for you, postering and talking to people in the streets.  This kind of zest can’t be bought, so take advantage. 

10.    BECAUSE IF YOU DON’T ENGAGE YOUTH, SOCIETY IS IN PERIL:  All joking aside, if something is not done to engage today’s youth in politics and to build generational bridges, the foundation of this society will crumble.  Say goodbye to words like ‘community’, as we will all be left in the individualist orgy with no regard for our neighbour, with everyone working solely for their own self-interest.  This is a world Apathy Is Boring does not want to see and is fighting against.  The only way we can do this is together.  Please help do your part.