The Rise in Student Interest in Politics

By Ayla Ozturk

In the last year, more and more teenagers have been interested in politics and have begun to form their own opinions.

This is debated among the adult population, as some believe that teenagers may be too young or not educated enough to form their opinions.

Jonathan Luna, class of 2024 said “I feel that the adult population belittling the opinions of us teenagers is bittersweet. Yes, they’re trying to guide us for a better tomorrow, however, there is a line that they shouldn’t cross at some point. Past the line is not valuing teenagers’ opinions even though they are the generation of tomorrow who have a greater perspective on the big issues happening in the world and are just starting to get a sense of democracy in our country.”

According to Luna, “My inspiration into politics has to be seeing our great nation function daily with our public servants taking matters into their own hands. I find it wonderful to see the wheels moving in America when both sides of the aisle have their agreements and disagreements, because what else would you expect from politicians, they will fight to the very end. Another reason has to be their well-delivered speeches where they speak upon important issues and some are inspirational to me.”

Annabelle Williamson, ’21 had something similar to say, “Many adults do not recognize the opinions of teenagers and young adults because of their inadequate life experience. They feel like young adults have only lived a fraction of the years that they have or that they have not had the same experience to fully shape their political opinions. I completely disagree with this idea. Many adults have not had to grow up in a politically polarized community as I, and many others have. Young adults of this generation are finally speaking out for what they believe is right. Whether that is supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, supporting and protesting for the Black Lives Matter Movement, or speaking out against people in power who do not honor our country’s democracy. Teenagers form opinions because they have lived through times where they have no other choice.”

Williamson also elaborated on their inspiration, “My inspiration for politics sparked in Journalism. Being able to be the Government and Politics editor for two years opened my eyes to the drastic changes that needed to happen. I got more involved in abortion laws, and how men in power tell women what they can and can’t do with their bodies. I got more involved in making sure LGBTQIA+ students and young adults had laws to protect them because I wanted to be protected along with them and be able to live the life I choose to. It is incredibly ignorant for people to avoid politics. Politics shape every aspect of everyone’s lives. Those who avoid politics do so because they have the privilege to be able to without their lives being put in harm’s way.”

Mr. Schieferle, the AP Government and Politics teacher, has seen students with these interests in his class. Because of this, he has an interesting perspective, “The class that I teach is pretty apolitical, I don’t teach from a certain ideological perspective, I don’t teach it as a conservative, liberal, socialist, progressive, libertarian, students in the class engage in discussion. When learning and in-class they are apolitical to learn about the topic. I don’t allow students to go after each other based on their ideologies because that’s not what the class is about, the class is more about learning about different ideologies and learning about government and then having students develop their own opinions on those things. Students tend to be interested in all of the topics instead of certain ones, they want to know all of the different ideas of political philosophy. I think it’s individual to the students, some might find certain topics really really interesting and others don’t. We also talk a lot about a lot of controversial ideas in the class. Let’s say for example abortion, legalization of drugs, environmental topics, we talk about those things, but we don’t talk about them as if one side is the right view and the other side is the wrong view, we talk about them to understand what the topic is about and then my hope is that students formulate an idea on the topic. I’m not here to pose my ideas on them. Some students really get into certain discussion topics and some students don’t, I think it’s individual to the student.” 

The AP Government and Politics class isn’t a required class, the students take it because they want to learn, as Mr. Schieferle said. 

These students are very passionate about this subject. This has led both Luna and Williamson to consider careers in politics.

Luna stated, “Politics have crossed my mind to possibly become my career. After thinking, it’s set that my mind will be focused on politics and see what’s to come in the future. I’ve been watching congress meet to discuss for a better tomorrow and I just love how our American democracy keeps on rolling every day with our public servants!”

Like Luna, Williamson gave her statement on a possible career in politics and has even started to make a plan. “I would love a career in politics if that is where life leads me. I am planning on minoring in Political Science and majoring in Environmental Engineering! I would love to work in Environmental Justice, whether that be protecting land, creating laws that actually help fight climate change, or helping give back stolen land.”

Mr. Schieferle has noticed some of his students are also interested in careers in politics, “I’ve had a lot of students that have gone on to intern for members of congress, they’ve actually applied for internships for several members of congress throughout the Valley and done those at their offices. I think that means that they are leaning towards some sort of career in the political arena.”

Tags: ayla ozturk, government and politics, politics, redwood gigantea, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, students