Give Children the Vote?
“What I suggest is that children be allowed to grow into their own right to vote at whatever rate suits them individually,” argues Vita Wallace as her major claim in the essay “Give children the vote” (1998, p.147). This is a thoughtful argument by Wallace, but I disagree with it. In this essay, Wallace presents her opinion, but the major claim could also be presented as a fact, judgment, or policy (McFadden, 2003). Throughout the essay, I see the interesting approach Wallace takes to try convince the audience. In my opinion she is unsuccessful.
Wallace’s major claim, giving children the vote, is a good one and something many kids cringe about these days. She presents this argument in defense of kids, including herself, which she feels are being discriminated against. Wallace was home schooled, so she believes children should not be punished for choosing not to attend school. She continues saying, “Learning about discriminatory laws preventing high school dropouts from getting their driver’s licenses…” (1998, p.145) made her think about the unfair treatment of kids. Realizing all the rights children miss out on, Wallace focuses on the right to vote. She was 16 when she wrote this essay and feels ready to vote. In fact she states, “I think I would not have voted until I was eight or nine, but perhaps if I had known I could vote I would have taken an interest sooner” (1998, p.147).
The qualifiers also play a big role in “Give children the vote.” A qualifier is a word or two that modifies the claim (McFadden, 2003). Wallace does a good job with the qualifiers, and makes the claim stand out a little better. Wallace’s major claim, again, is children should have the right to vote. But ...
... middle of paper ...
...-election depends on the well-being of the voters” (1998, p.146). Here, again, she uses a statement that has no evidence and more importantly, doesn’t even focus on the issue of kids voting.
Wallace has worthwhile ideas, but I believe she needs to develop her research methods and legitimate arguments. Unfortunately, she uses her own examples, reasoning, and analysis to argue for the claim to allow kids to vote. Credible sources or harder evidence might be more useful in Wallace’s case.
References
Clark, I. L. (1998). The genre of argument. Boston: Thompson-Heinle
McFadden, J. (Sept. 12 & 14, 2003). The toulmin method: From classical logic
to modern argumentation. Lecture. Buena Vista University. Storm Lake, IA.
Wallace, V. (1998). “Give children the vote.” The genre of argument. Ed. Irene L. Clark. Boston: Thompson-Heinle. p.145-48
Throughout the American South, of many Negro’s childhood, the system of segregation determined the patterns of life. Blacks attended separate schools from whites, were barred from pools and parks where whites swam and played, from cafes and hotels where whites ate and slept. On sidewalks, they were expected to step aside for whites. It took a brave person to challenge this system, when those that did suffered a white storm of rancour. Affronting this hatred, with assistance from the Federal Government, were nine courageous school children, permitted into the 1957/8 school year at Little Rock Central High. The unofficial leader of this band of students was Ernest Green.
Gould, Stephen Jay. The Mismeasure of Man. W.W. Norton & Company. New York, London. 1981.
Deadly and helpful, science is a dual-edged sword. Nathaniel Hawthorne is one of the first to emphasize this through his literary works. “Rappaccini's Daughter” and “The Birthmark” are two of his works where he teaches this lesson through the trials of his characters. Focusing on the motif of the “mad scientist”, Hawthorne brings to light the points that people struggle with humanity, learning to love themselves and others, and that science can be more harmful then helpful.
Hasen, Richard. "Voter Suppression's New Pretext." the New York Times 16 November 2013: A- 19. Print.
The young as well as the older people of Canada seem to be in a deadlock. The question of if the federal government should or should not lower the voting age is a question debated surely around the dinner tables of families in Canada, as well as in the ranks of the government. Some people even suggest that the age needs to be raised. What would make people want the voting age to be lowered to an even lower age than the young adult age of 18? On the other hand how can the youth of Canada who have their own individual views be able to make a difference without being able to vote? Both sides provide for an intriguing look into the facts and resolutions for an appropriate way to either change the voting age or keep it the same. Throughout this paper I will look at and analyze the arguments of the youth who claim to be 'disenfranchised', as well as others who see the lowering of the voting age to be detrimental rather than an improvement to the Government of Canada's political process. In 1854, before Canada became a responsible government the only people allowed to vote were people who had a high value of land which they owned, and had a high income. Women and people with other ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs were also denied the right to vote. This did not mean that these people did not have their views and beliefs on who and what they wanted in their government but rather they were denied the right. These laws have changed since then drastically and Canada has become a democratic country (rule by the people). However, the frustration of not being able to vote and support their ideals and politicians does live on in the hearts and minds of thousands of young Canadians under the age of eighteen. The...
The right to vote for non-citizens has become an increasingly controversial topic due to the strong and often divisive opinions of permanent Canadian residents. The capacity to vote is one of the most important and valued freedoms granted to individuals. Although the acceptance of non-citizen resident voting is frequently encouraged in order to propel self-governing justice and immigrant inclusion, opponents claim that it is in a nation’s best interest to delay voting rights to non-citizens. According to this claim, by preserving voting rights to citizens, non-citizens would have the social responsibility to actively learn the essential community services and self-ruled obligations necessary to earn their citizenship. In spite of this claim, non-citizens should be allowed to vote because the right to vote offers immigrants a more welcomed chance to contribute in the decision-making processes that take place in Canadian legislature. Seeing that this legislature administrates the rights and freedoms of the immigrant populations, it would only be just if immigrants had the right to elect candidates who spoke on behalf of their best interests.
... Vote, supports women’s suffrage. The document states, “Give mother the vote… our food our health our play our homes our school our work are ruled by men’s votes”. The babies in this poster are saying that many topics that are being voted upon are those that women know the most about, and men know the least about. Therefore women should be able to vote. On the other hand, document H, Ladies Trousers makes fun of women for wanting the same freedoms that men have from birth. This document declares, “My dear Susan, would you please keep your trousers on your side of closet”. This document is not a reason for why women should not get the right to vote. Women should not have been classified as only mothers and wives, incapable of having any type of say in the society. Document G, better shows why women having a say in the community would benefit the society as a whole.
In September 1957, nine African American high school students set off to be the first African American students to desegregate the all white Central High School. The six agirls and the three boys were selected by their brightness and capability of ignoring threats of the white students at Central High. This was all part of the Little Rock school board’s plan to desegregate the city schools gradually, by starting with a small group of kids at a single high school. However, the plan turned out to be a lot more complex when Governor Orval Faubus decided not to let the nine enter the school.
Throughout the course of history, advances in medical technology have prolonged the length of life and delayed death; however, terminal illnesses still exist and modern medicine is often unable to prevent death. Many people turn to a procedure known as Physician-Assisted suicide, a process by which a doctor aids in ending a terminally ill patient’s life. This procedure is painless and effective, allowing patients to control their death and alleviate unnecessary suffering. In spite of these benefits, Physician-Assisted suicide is illegal in many places both nationally and internationally. Despite the fact that Physician-Assisted suicide is opposed by many Americans and much of the world on ethical and moral grounds such as those based on religion and the morality of taking another life, it should still be legalized because it alleviates suffering of patients, allows patients to choose a dignified death, and allows patients to control their own fate instead of their disease controlling them.
Although widely condoned around the world, only one nation, the Netherlands has made physician assisted suicide legal. Five states tried Washington in 1991, California in 1992, Michigan in 1998,and main in 2000, Oregon in 1994 approved the “Death with Dignity Act” it won 51 percent to 49 percent. 91 people committed suicide with the aid of a physician in the first four years the law was in effect.
Four states have assisted suicide listed as legal. Oregon, Vermont and Washington have legalized PAS via legislation, with Montana having legal physician-assisted suicide via court ruling. Thirty-nine states have laws prohibiting assisted suicide. Three states, Alabama, Massachusetts, and West Virginia and the District of Columbia prohibit assisted suicide by common law. Four states, Nevada, North Carolina, Utah and Wyoming have no specific laws regarding assisted suicide, may not re...
McCormick, J, Andrew.. "Self-Determination, the Right to Die, and Culture: A Literature Review." Social Work 2(2011):119. eLibrary. Web. 20 Jan. 2014.
The Civil Rights Movement was a difficult but necessary time of change in America. In 1963 Daisy Bates, President of the Arkansas chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said “More than any other single event in many years, Little Rock demonstrated the gaping discrepancy between the Declaration of Independence, one of the most precious documents of American history, and the reality of twentieth century America… The impact on Americans and on the world was one of Little Rock’s historical contributions to the over- all crusade for rights and dignity.” Our county was built on equality but to this day we continue the crusade for it, racially, sexually, religiously, etc. It takes courage to change and the Little Rock Nine embodied that.
In 1957 Little Rock High School allowed 9 black students to attend the school due to forced desegregation. At the first attempt of the students going to the school, they were kept out by armed guards at the gates which were sent by Governor Orval Faubus. The second attempt went slightly better as President Eisenhower sent federal troops to escort the students through the rioting white students. The troops were then used as body guards for the first few days to keep the new students safe, but once dismissed the white students could taunt and tease them as much as they wanted.
Everyone has the right to vote, or not to vote in the years we live today. People decide whether they wish to participate in the nation’s future or just walk aimlessly and allow it to take its own path. Over decades, centuries, our country continued growing but just recently did it allow all to vote as long as they call this nation home. Run-on Sentence: Over decades, centuries, our country continued growing, but just recently did it allow all to vote as long as they call this nation home. However, large amounts of people still do not vote in any politics. Today everyone should understand what differences a vote could make like what can happen, why it matters, and benefits of voting.