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Every generation thinks the young are losing their moral compass. This time, the data suggest they might be right. Older adults consistently rate moral violations more harshly than younger adults. Younger adults deemed actions like tax evasion or theft as more permissible, compared with older adults—an age difference that... show more

Rob Henderson

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18,083 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten •via X (Twitter)

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Older adults need twice as much protein per meal as younger adults to get the same amount of muscle protein synthesis. That's because muscles become less sensitive to amino acids in response to protein intake, a phenomenon known as anabolic resistance. Most people think this is due to aging, but physical inactivity is the real culprit. People are less active as they get older. Only about 30% of young adults and just 20% of older adults regularly engage in some form of resistance training. Older adults who stay physically active or who engage in resistance exercise right before consuming protein don't experience anabolic resistance. Their anabolic response is identical to that of younger adults. How do I interpret this? If you're older, you might need a higher daily and per-meal protein dose (30–40 grams versus 20–30 grams for someone younger) to maximize muscle protein synthesis and increase or maintain muscle mass. But it also means that staying physically active and strength training often is the key to preventing "age-related" anabolic resistance. It's not inevitable.

Older adults need twice as much protein per meal as younger adults to get the same amount of muscle protein synthesis. That's because muscles become less sensitive to amino acids in response to protein intake, a phenomenon known as anabolic resistance. Most people think this is due to aging, but physical inactivity is the real culprit. People are less active as they get older. Only about 30% of young adults and just 20% of older adults regularly engage in some form of resistance training. Older adults who stay physically active or who engage in resistance exercise right before consuming protein don't experience anabolic resistance. Their anabolic response is identical to that of younger adults. How do I interpret this? If you're older, you might need a higher daily and per-meal protein dose (30–40 grams versus 20–30 grams for someone younger) to maximize muscle protein synthesis and increase or maintain muscle mass. But it also means that staying physically active and strength training often is the key to preventing "age-related" anabolic resistance. It's not inevitable.

Dr. Rhonda Patrick

84,167 Aufrufe • vor 10 Monaten

Developmental criminologists have documented an “age-crime curve.” This curve shows a peak in criminal behavior during adolescence and early adulthood, which then declines with age. Notably, younger age remains a significant predictor of crime, even when socioeconomic factors are accounted for. For example, in the United States, a 20 year old man is 10 times more likely to commit a violent crime than a 60 year old man. Beyond overt legal transgressions, younger adults are more deceptive in their everyday lives than older adults. A 2015 study of more than 1 thousand individuals aged 6 to 77 found that young children and elderly adults are the least likely to tell lies, while young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 were the most likely to engage in deception, and also displayed the greatest proficiency at formulating believable lies.

Developmental criminologists have documented an “age-crime curve.” This curve shows a peak in criminal behavior during adolescence and early adulthood, which then declines with age. Notably, younger age remains a significant predictor of crime, even when socioeconomic factors are accounted for. For example, in the United States, a 20 year old man is 10 times more likely to commit a violent crime than a 60 year old man. Beyond overt legal transgressions, younger adults are more deceptive in their everyday lives than older adults. A 2015 study of more than 1 thousand individuals aged 6 to 77 found that young children and elderly adults are the least likely to tell lies, while young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 were the most likely to engage in deception, and also displayed the greatest proficiency at formulating believable lies.

Rob Henderson

29,575 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

Older adults score higher on the Light Triad personality traits, which encompass 3 factors: First, Faith in Humanity, which reflects the belief that others are generally good and worthy of trust. Second, Kantianism, which denotes the propensity to behave with integrity and honesty. And lastly, Humanism, which involves a genuine appreciation for the successes of others. Older people tend to score higher on these Light Triad traits. Younger adults tend to have lower scores. This distinction was illustrated in a 2021 study which found that older adults were more likely to share positive gossip about other people, while younger adults were more prone to spread negative, reputation-damaging gossip.

Older adults score higher on the Light Triad personality traits, which encompass 3 factors: First, Faith in Humanity, which reflects the belief that others are generally good and worthy of trust. Second, Kantianism, which denotes the propensity to behave with integrity and honesty. And lastly, Humanism, which involves a genuine appreciation for the successes of others. Older people tend to score higher on these Light Triad traits. Younger adults tend to have lower scores. This distinction was illustrated in a 2021 study which found that older adults were more likely to share positive gossip about other people, while younger adults were more prone to spread negative, reputation-damaging gossip.

Rob Henderson

18,046 Aufrufe • vor 11 Monaten

These are the supplements I give my aging parents: • A daily multivitamin • Vitamin D • High-DHA omega-3s • Ubiquinol (the reduced form of CoQ10) • Sulforaphane Why these? Large RCTs show improved cognition in older adults taking a standard multivitamin, with benefits equivalent to a brain that's 2-5 years younger. For vitamin D, more than 70% of older U.S. adults are insufficient, and aging skin produces far less vitamin D from sunlight (a 70-year-old makes roughly 4x less than their 20-year-old self). DHA is a key structural fat in the brain and supports cognitive function, especially important with aging and neurodegenerative risk, while CoQ10 supports mitochondrial energy production as levels drop with age. Finally, sulforaphane is a powerful activator of Nrf2, the body's master stress-response pathway, up-regulating glutathione and phase II detox enzymes.

These are the supplements I give my aging parents: • A daily multivitamin • Vitamin D • High-DHA omega-3s • Ubiquinol (the reduced form of CoQ10) • Sulforaphane Why these? Large RCTs show improved cognition in older adults taking a standard multivitamin, with benefits equivalent to a brain that's 2-5 years younger. For vitamin D, more than 70% of older U.S. adults are insufficient, and aging skin produces far less vitamin D from sunlight (a 70-year-old makes roughly 4x less than their 20-year-old self). DHA is a key structural fat in the brain and supports cognitive function, especially important with aging and neurodegenerative risk, while CoQ10 supports mitochondrial energy production as levels drop with age. Finally, sulforaphane is a powerful activator of Nrf2, the body's master stress-response pathway, up-regulating glutathione and phase II detox enzymes.

Dr. Rhonda Patrick

217,153 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten

#WATCH | Noida: Dr. Shalini Tyagi, Director of Paediatric Care at Medanta, Noida, says, “Every weather change affects children more than it affects adults. If you look at it, children have a larger body surface area relative to their weight, meaning they absorb more heat. Additionally, their thermoregulation system is not as well-developed as it is in adults. Because of the heat, we frequently see children suffering from diarrhoea and dehydration, and certain respiratory infections also increase during this time…I would not tell children to just sit at home and avoid going out to play, because playing is an essential part of their health—it is the equivalent of exercise for adults. However, if they are playing under the hot sun, precautions must be taken. They should wear caps and loose, full-coverage cotton clothing to prevent sunburn. Most importantly, they need to drink plenty of water and consume isotonic fluids to stay hydrated…”

#WATCH | Noida: Dr. Shalini Tyagi, Director of Paediatric Care at Medanta, Noida, says, “Every weather change affects children more than it affects adults. If you look at it, children have a larger body surface area relative to their weight, meaning they absorb more heat. Additionally, their thermoregulation system is not as well-developed as it is in adults. Because of the heat, we frequently see children suffering from diarrhoea and dehydration, and certain respiratory infections also increase during this time…I would not tell children to just sit at home and avoid going out to play, because playing is an essential part of their health—it is the equivalent of exercise for adults. However, if they are playing under the hot sun, precautions must be taken. They should wear caps and loose, full-coverage cotton clothing to prevent sunburn. Most importantly, they need to drink plenty of water and consume isotonic fluids to stay hydrated…”

ANI

16,538 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

Supplementing with vitamin D could cut your risk of dementia by nearly half In a study of more than 12,000 older adults, those who supplemented with vitamin D were 40% less likely to develop dementia over the following decade And after just 5 years, 84% of vitamin D users remained dementia-free compared to only 68% of non-users This benefit even extended to people with mild cognitive impairment and the APOE4 gene—a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease

Supplementing with vitamin D could cut your risk of dementia by nearly half In a study of more than 12,000 older adults, those who supplemented with vitamin D were 40% less likely to develop dementia over the following decade And after just 5 years, 84% of vitamin D users remained dementia-free compared to only 68% of non-users This benefit even extended to people with mild cognitive impairment and the APOE4 gene—a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease

FoundMyFitness Clips

273,589 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

Mark Carney said Canadians could judge him by their experience at the grocery store and when they pay their bills The verdict is in—and it’s brutal A new Equifax Canada survey of over 1,500 adults finds: * 1 in 4 (25%) expect they can only afford the minimum monthly payment on their credit cards * Another 7% expect to fall behind entirely * 29% are putting more on credit than last year just to cover essentials like groceries and living expenses * 40% are spending more overall than a year ago Younger Canadians (under 55) and families are getting hit hardest: 31% of those under 55 expect only minimum payments (vs 16% of older adults).Paying only the minimum is a slow financial death sentence—interest piles up, balances grow, and the hole gets deeper. Equifax analysts call it mounting household pressure and eroding financial confidence. Numbers are worse than last year Canadians aren’t thriving. They’re surviving on revolving credit for food and bills. That’s the real report card on the cost of living

Mark Carney said Canadians could judge him by their experience at the grocery store and when they pay their bills The verdict is in—and it’s brutal A new Equifax Canada survey of over 1,500 adults finds: * 1 in 4 (25%) expect they can only afford the minimum monthly payment on their credit cards * Another 7% expect to fall behind entirely * 29% are putting more on credit than last year just to cover essentials like groceries and living expenses * 40% are spending more overall than a year ago Younger Canadians (under 55) and families are getting hit hardest: 31% of those under 55 expect only minimum payments (vs 16% of older adults).Paying only the minimum is a slow financial death sentence—interest piles up, balances grow, and the hole gets deeper. Equifax analysts call it mounting household pressure and eroding financial confidence. Numbers are worse than last year Canadians aren’t thriving. They’re surviving on revolving credit for food and bills. That’s the real report card on the cost of living

cbcwatcher

25,115 Aufrufe • vor 21 Tagen

After much thought and consideration, I have decided to vote 'No' on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. Firstly, there is a real fear that vulnerable people, including women who have suffered domestic abuse, could be coerced into taking their own lives. Secondly, many disabled people fear that their lives will be devalued and could be pushed to take their lives. Thirdly, the scope of this bill could be widened to include more illnesses and younger ages, as has been the case in other countries. Instead of creating a pathway for people to end their lives, we should be strengthening the palliative care services that help them live their final days with dignity, comfort and support.

After much thought and consideration, I have decided to vote 'No' on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. Firstly, there is a real fear that vulnerable people, including women who have suffered domestic abuse, could be coerced into taking their own lives. Secondly, many disabled people fear that their lives will be devalued and could be pushed to take their lives. Thirdly, the scope of this bill could be widened to include more illnesses and younger ages, as has been the case in other countries. Instead of creating a pathway for people to end their lives, we should be strengthening the palliative care services that help them live their final days with dignity, comfort and support.

Dr Pam Gosal MBE

34,435 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

“Approximately 61 million adults and 4 million adolescents are now taking psychiatric medications.” Laura Delano breaks down the scale of America’s mental health crisis and the massive financial system built around it. She highlights how millions are diagnosed, treated, and medicated at record levels, while outcomes like suicide and distress continue to worsen. “We are told the country is facing a mental health crisis.” “23.4% of American adults, 61.5 million people, have a psychiatric diagnosis, including 1 in 3 young adults.” “From 2007 to 2021, the suicide rate among youth aged 10 to 24 increased by 62%.” “The suicide rate among children ages 10 to 14 more than tripled from 2007 to 2018.” “In 2023, nearly 50,000 Americans died by suicide, the highest number ever recorded.” “At the same time as all this, more Americans than ever are receiving mental health treatment.” “In 2023 alone, Medicare and Medicaid combined spent $36.6 billion on psychiatric drugs.” “That’s $335 billion over the past decade with no measurable population-level improvement in mental health.” Laura Delano

“Approximately 61 million adults and 4 million adolescents are now taking psychiatric medications.” Laura Delano breaks down the scale of America’s mental health crisis and the massive financial system built around it. She highlights how millions are diagnosed, treated, and medicated at record levels, while outcomes like suicide and distress continue to worsen. “We are told the country is facing a mental health crisis.” “23.4% of American adults, 61.5 million people, have a psychiatric diagnosis, including 1 in 3 young adults.” “From 2007 to 2021, the suicide rate among youth aged 10 to 24 increased by 62%.” “The suicide rate among children ages 10 to 14 more than tripled from 2007 to 2018.” “In 2023, nearly 50,000 Americans died by suicide, the highest number ever recorded.” “At the same time as all this, more Americans than ever are receiving mental health treatment.” “In 2023 alone, Medicare and Medicaid combined spent $36.6 billion on psychiatric drugs.” “That’s $335 billion over the past decade with no measurable population-level improvement in mental health.” Laura Delano

Children’s Health Defense

50,760 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

This study blew my mind. It found there’s ONE main key to earning a higher income. The study looked at kids from poorer families, and how they turned out as adults. Turns out, the number one indicator of their future income was not the socioeconomic status of their family. It was the socioeconomic status of the other people they’re around. This is called Economic Connectedness. What does that mean? Put bluntly, EC measures how many rich people and poor people are friends. When an area has higher economic connectedness, poor kids are more likely to make more money as adults. For example: • Minneapolis has an EC of 0.98. • Indianapolis’s is lower at 0.65. But… • Kids from low income families in Minneapolis reach the 43rd percentile of household income as adults. • Kids from the same background in Indianapolis only reach the 34th percentile. WHO you surround yourself with and WHERE you are has a huge impact on your monetary success. So we asked the question... Is it possible to be in the top 1% of earners without ever changing your environment? What do you think?

This study blew my mind. It found there’s ONE main key to earning a higher income. The study looked at kids from poorer families, and how they turned out as adults. Turns out, the number one indicator of their future income was not the socioeconomic status of their family. It was the socioeconomic status of the other people they’re around. This is called Economic Connectedness. What does that mean? Put bluntly, EC measures how many rich people and poor people are friends. When an area has higher economic connectedness, poor kids are more likely to make more money as adults. For example: • Minneapolis has an EC of 0.98. • Indianapolis’s is lower at 0.65. But… • Kids from low income families in Minneapolis reach the 43rd percentile of household income as adults. • Kids from the same background in Indianapolis only reach the 34th percentile. WHO you surround yourself with and WHERE you are has a huge impact on your monetary success. So we asked the question... Is it possible to be in the top 1% of earners without ever changing your environment? What do you think?

Codie Sanchez

509,831 Aufrufe • vor 2 Jahren

Muscle loss with age is common, but much of that decline is driven by inactivity, not aging alone. On average, we reach peak muscle mass somewhere between 20 and 30, then lose about 8% per decade after that. By the time many adults reach their 70s and 80s, they may have only 60–80% of the muscle mass they had at 30. A big reason why is anabolic resistance. As we get older, muscle becomes less responsive to amino acids, one of the key signals for building and maintaining muscle. This is where resistance training becomes non-negotiable. It's one of the main signals that tells muscle to grow. And just as importantly, it helps re-sensitize muscle to amino acids, so the body responds to protein more like it did when you were younger.

Muscle loss with age is common, but much of that decline is driven by inactivity, not aging alone. On average, we reach peak muscle mass somewhere between 20 and 30, then lose about 8% per decade after that. By the time many adults reach their 70s and 80s, they may have only 60–80% of the muscle mass they had at 30. A big reason why is anabolic resistance. As we get older, muscle becomes less responsive to amino acids, one of the key signals for building and maintaining muscle. This is where resistance training becomes non-negotiable. It's one of the main signals that tells muscle to grow. And just as importantly, it helps re-sensitize muscle to amino acids, so the body responds to protein more like it did when you were younger.

Dr. Rhonda Patrick

261,883 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

vernon talking more about his parents! 🐻‍❄️ i don’t try to only share good news and hide bad news [from them], i just say whatever i want to say whether it’s good or bad. of course, i’m relatively more like a child than them but when i see my parents… they were just adults when i was a kid. but as i grow older, i see that my mom and dad are just people too. no one is a perfect grownup. so, i find our conversations more fun now. especially when i’m talking with my mom.

vernon talking more about his parents! 🐻‍❄️ i don’t try to only share good news and hide bad news [from them], i just say whatever i want to say whether it’s good or bad. of course, i’m relatively more like a child than them but when i see my parents… they were just adults when i was a kid. but as i grow older, i see that my mom and dad are just people too. no one is a perfect grownup. so, i find our conversations more fun now. especially when i’m talking with my mom.

🎧

112,786 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

$On average, most people lose 1% of their muscle mass per year and 3% of their strength per year after age 50. It's even worse if you're inactive—strength drops by 4% annually in people who don't engage in resistance exercise! Strength training and a high protein intake can slow or mitigate age-related declines in muscle, and this is important. More muscle enhances metabolism, improves insulin sensitivity, and protects against diabetes. But muscle also safeguards against falls and fractures, which can be a literal death sentence for older adults— up to 58% of older adults who experience a hip fracture die within 12 months of the injury. The evidence is clear: more muscle lowers mortality risk, while less muscle and a higher fat mass increases it. And while resistance exercise is the most important factor for building and maintaining muscle, optimizing protein intake is a proven strategy to increase healthspan at every age. Discover the optimal protein intake tailored to your age, physical activity, and goals in my new episode, The Science of Protein (Episode 97), now available on all major platforms. Watch now:$

On average, most people lose 1% of their muscle mass per year and 3% of their strength per year after age 50. It's even worse if you're inactive—strength drops by 4% annually in people who don't engage in resistance exercise! Strength training and a high protein intake can slow or mitigate age-related declines in muscle, and this is important. More muscle enhances metabolism, improves insulin sensitivity, and protects against diabetes. But muscle also safeguards against falls and fractures, which can be a literal death sentence for older adults— up to 58% of older adults who experience a hip fracture die within 12 months of the injury. The evidence is clear: more muscle lowers mortality risk, while less muscle and a higher fat mass increases it. And while resistance exercise is the most important factor for building and maintaining muscle, optimizing protein intake is a proven strategy to increase healthspan at every age. Discover the optimal protein intake tailored to your age, physical activity, and goals in my new episode, The Science of Protein (Episode 97), now available on all major platforms. Watch now:

Dr. Rhonda Patrick

124,040 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

My grandfather Dr. GS Kulkarni is 93 years old, he still works, studies and researches and most importantly he exercises for 45 mins to 1 hour everyday. It is extremely important for our parents and grandparents to be active and perform strength training. Exercise is important for older adults because it can improve their physical and mental health. Active people have lower mortality rates compared to inactive people. People who met the minimum exercise recommendations (150-300 min/week moderate or 75-150 min/week vigorous) saw a significant reduction in mortality rates. Adults who engage in aerobic and muscle strengthening activities show greatly reduced risk of all cause and cause specific mortality Exercise is extremely important for cognitive health with numerous studies showing that exercise improves cognition and potentially prevents or delay cognitive decline. Physical exercise can reduce global cognitive decline and lessen behavioural problems in people with MCI or dementia. Physical activity was associated with a decreased incidence of cognitive impairment or decline Exercise can also improve skin health, this one study found that exercise significantly improved skin elasticity upper dermal structure, and dermal thickness Older adults should exercise under the guidance of a professional. Disclaimer: This video is only for educational purposes and is not a replacement of health advice from a medical professional.

My grandfather Dr. GS Kulkarni is 93 years old, he still works, studies and researches and most importantly he exercises for 45 mins to 1 hour everyday. It is extremely important for our parents and grandparents to be active and perform strength training. Exercise is important for older adults because it can improve their physical and mental health. Active people have lower mortality rates compared to inactive people. People who met the minimum exercise recommendations (150-300 min/week moderate or 75-150 min/week vigorous) saw a significant reduction in mortality rates. Adults who engage in aerobic and muscle strengthening activities show greatly reduced risk of all cause and cause specific mortality Exercise is extremely important for cognitive health with numerous studies showing that exercise improves cognition and potentially prevents or delay cognitive decline. Physical exercise can reduce global cognitive decline and lessen behavioural problems in people with MCI or dementia. Physical activity was associated with a decreased incidence of cognitive impairment or decline Exercise can also improve skin health, this one study found that exercise significantly improved skin elasticity upper dermal structure, and dermal thickness Older adults should exercise under the guidance of a professional. Disclaimer: This video is only for educational purposes and is not a replacement of health advice from a medical professional.

Tejas Kulkarni

76,105 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

Dear Labour, 16 years olds don’t need the vote. They need adults to do their duty and act in their best interests, rather than putting ballot papers in their hands and telling them they’re “bright enough” to do it themselves. Despite what Starmer wants you believe, 16 year olds do not (and should not) bear the same responsibilities as adults: • A 16 year old can drink with a meal in a pub or restaurant, but only if the alcohol is purchased by someone over 18. • A 16 year old can get married, but only with their parents’ consent. • A 16 year old is considered to lack the necessary capacity so cannot enter into legal contracts, except in very limited circumstances. • A 16 year old can join the military, but only with parental consent — is heavily criticised as we are also the only European country to allow minor enlistment. • Nearly all employed 16-17 year olds do not pay taxes — they must must earn more than £242 per week to pay National Insurance, so they would have to work at least 38 (£6.40 p/h) hours per week to meet the threshold They must also exceed £12.57K per year to pay income tax, which is incredibly unlikely. For the few that do — like child actors — there are also usually adults around them (eg. accountants, managers, parents) who support and represent their interests as they are usually not responsible enough to do it themselves. • Just because 16 year olds can have sex, that still doesn’t make them adults — the abundance of evidence on the sexual exploitation of 16-17 year olds demonstrates their vulnerability, while legislation extends to them the same child protective powers as with younger children. Why? Because they are children. No matter how smart or mature a 16 year old may seem, they are still a child, and it is a failure of our protective duty to burden them with adult responsibilities. To lower the voting age to 16 is to allow children to be considered ‘legal adults’ before they’re ready. I know first-hand the damage that can be caused by treating a child like an adult before their time. At 16, I was legally homeless and under social services. I worked three jobs to survive, sofa-surfed through my A-Levels, showered at school, and survived off the kindness of friends and teachers. When Votes at 16 activists talk about the teenagers to whom ‘adult responsibilities’ apply and should be given a vote, they are describing my life. But where they believe lowering the voting age gives ‘a seat at the table’, all I see is a mechanism by which adults and services will be able to shirk their protective duties to vulnerable kids. I remember being told so often by my social workers that I was “smart enough” to do things on my own. The fact that I was “bright” and “mature” was weaponised against me to force me to take on burdens that I neither wanted nor was ready for. I will never forget sitting in ‘Multi Agency Meetings’ sobbing for someone to help me. I will never forget being told that it was “my actions that led me to where I was”. I will never forget my local council, social workers, and other professionals using legal loopholes to shirk their duties towards that vulnerable 16 year old child. 16 and 17 year olds like me – the ones that campaigners point to as the ‘model example’ of young people who should be allowed to vote – don’t need a vote to be “empowered”. It isn’t empowering to expect children to act like adults, and it does far more damage than good to force teenagers further into a legal grey area. Parliamentary decisions do affect young people. However, it is the job of the legislature to make decisions for the people, and it is the duty of adults to make decisions in the best interests of children. It is a failure of our protective duty to burden children with adult duties because they’re “smart enough to handle it”. If the only way you can win the next election is by putting ballot papers shouldn’t be put in the hands of babes, then you shouldn’t be in government.

Dear Labour, 16 years olds don’t need the vote. They need adults to do their duty and act in their best interests, rather than putting ballot papers in their hands and telling them they’re “bright enough” to do it themselves. Despite what Starmer wants you believe, 16 year olds do not (and should not) bear the same responsibilities as adults: • A 16 year old can drink with a meal in a pub or restaurant, but only if the alcohol is purchased by someone over 18. • A 16 year old can get married, but only with their parents’ consent. • A 16 year old is considered to lack the necessary capacity so cannot enter into legal contracts, except in very limited circumstances. • A 16 year old can join the military, but only with parental consent — is heavily criticised as we are also the only European country to allow minor enlistment. • Nearly all employed 16-17 year olds do not pay taxes — they must must earn more than £242 per week to pay National Insurance, so they would have to work at least 38 (£6.40 p/h) hours per week to meet the threshold They must also exceed £12.57K per year to pay income tax, which is incredibly unlikely. For the few that do — like child actors — there are also usually adults around them (eg. accountants, managers, parents) who support and represent their interests as they are usually not responsible enough to do it themselves. • Just because 16 year olds can have sex, that still doesn’t make them adults — the abundance of evidence on the sexual exploitation of 16-17 year olds demonstrates their vulnerability, while legislation extends to them the same child protective powers as with younger children. Why? Because they are children. No matter how smart or mature a 16 year old may seem, they are still a child, and it is a failure of our protective duty to burden them with adult responsibilities. To lower the voting age to 16 is to allow children to be considered ‘legal adults’ before they’re ready. I know first-hand the damage that can be caused by treating a child like an adult before their time. At 16, I was legally homeless and under social services. I worked three jobs to survive, sofa-surfed through my A-Levels, showered at school, and survived off the kindness of friends and teachers. When Votes at 16 activists talk about the teenagers to whom ‘adult responsibilities’ apply and should be given a vote, they are describing my life. But where they believe lowering the voting age gives ‘a seat at the table’, all I see is a mechanism by which adults and services will be able to shirk their protective duties to vulnerable kids. I remember being told so often by my social workers that I was “smart enough” to do things on my own. The fact that I was “bright” and “mature” was weaponised against me to force me to take on burdens that I neither wanted nor was ready for. I will never forget sitting in ‘Multi Agency Meetings’ sobbing for someone to help me. I will never forget being told that it was “my actions that led me to where I was”. I will never forget my local council, social workers, and other professionals using legal loopholes to shirk their duties towards that vulnerable 16 year old child. 16 and 17 year olds like me – the ones that campaigners point to as the ‘model example’ of young people who should be allowed to vote – don’t need a vote to be “empowered”. It isn’t empowering to expect children to act like adults, and it does far more damage than good to force teenagers further into a legal grey area. Parliamentary decisions do affect young people. However, it is the job of the legislature to make decisions for the people, and it is the duty of adults to make decisions in the best interests of children. It is a failure of our protective duty to burden children with adult duties because they’re “smart enough to handle it”. If the only way you can win the next election is by putting ballot papers shouldn’t be put in the hands of babes, then you shouldn’t be in government.

Samantha Smith

106,851 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr