I also believe in the science. That’s why I don’t believe in the developed-at-25 myth. If you look it up online you can see it’s been widely rebuked. Here’s an article from the BBC for instance.
The brain development at that age does allow for far more nuanced decision making, but I agree. The brain developed and decays constantly and differing rates, from my limited understanding , but I do believe that PEAK decision making capabilities don’t occur until an average age that probably is between 25 and 35. But again that’s not basing it solely on ,“brain development”. I should have been more precise.
the “cold cognition” capacity required for voting is generally formed by age 16 and stable thereafter. A 2019 study with more than 5,000 adolescents from 11 countries found that changes in the prefrontal cortex result in two independent neural pathways for decision making: one is related to digesting information and reasoning, the other operates when choices are made impulsively.ix Tasks such as voting and working are critically related to the first neural pathway, while impulsive behaviour such as criminal activity often relates to the second pathway. A 2021 review of the literature argues that: “taken together, adolescents, on average, are capable of rational, deliberative decision-making supported by their mature cognitive capacities”.x A significant proportion of scientists in the neurodevelopmental field have argued that lowering the voting age is in line with current evidence about adolescent brain development. Many experts assert that a 16-year-old has sufficient cognitive and critical thinking capacities to make political decisions independently.xi Giving adolescents a voice and allowing their participation in matters that affect them through voting would also help fulfill a developmental need for agency and autonomy, which are core developmental tasks in adolescence.
Many young people are well informed about ballot box issues such as COVID-19, climate change, mental health, education and inequality, among other policy issues that affect their lives now and in the future. Young people also display competence in civic education initiatives and public policy related advocacy. Some studies have shown that mid-adolescents have similar levels of political knowledge as young adults. In Brazil, where 16-year-olds are eligible to vote but compulsory voting is limited to those over 18, levels of political knowledge and media consumption are indistinguishable for those above and below 18. Similarly, when the voting age was reduced from 18 to 16 in Austria in 2007, 16- and 17-year-olds were found to be as well informed as 18- to 21-year-olds.
I’m still not convinced about this. I have known many teenagers who are more adept than me at making mature decisions (late 20s). So I think we all mature at different rates. I don’t especially believe that there’s a magic time in ones 20s where one becomes especially mature. And if there is, it is likely only a couple % higher in maturity points than at other times in one’s life.
Still, this magic 25 number appears a lot when people are trying to advocate for removing rights from young adults. Like for instance, saying trans people have to be at least 25 to transition. I’m always skeptical of it.
No you rude shit. I believe in the science involved in brain formation, maturity and it’s response to nature and nurture
You?
I also believe in the science. That’s why I don’t believe in the developed-at-25 myth. If you look it up online you can see it’s been widely rebuked. Here’s an article from the BBC for instance.
Apologies for the rudeness.
The brain development at that age does allow for far more nuanced decision making, but I agree. The brain developed and decays constantly and differing rates, from my limited understanding , but I do believe that PEAK decision making capabilities don’t occur until an average age that probably is between 25 and 35. But again that’s not basing it solely on ,“brain development”. I should have been more precise.
And, water under the bridge
https://www.unicef.ca/sites/default/files/2024-06/UNICEF _Canada_Policy_Brief_Bill_S-201_Lowering_the_Voting_Age.pdf
I’m still not convinced about this. I have known many teenagers who are more adept than me at making mature decisions (late 20s). So I think we all mature at different rates. I don’t especially believe that there’s a magic time in ones 20s where one becomes especially mature. And if there is, it is likely only a couple % higher in maturity points than at other times in one’s life.
Still, this magic 25 number appears a lot when people are trying to advocate for removing rights from young adults. Like for instance, saying trans people have to be at least 25 to transition. I’m always skeptical of it.