Young people are passionate about many issues. But politicians won't listen to them, writes Louise Merrington.

Here's a generation wanting to be heard

I find myself torn. On the one hand, I want to protest about an issue that I'm passionate about. After all, people keep asking: Whatever happened to the younger generation committed to a cause? But I can't afford to take any time off uni; if I fail and have to repeat, my already large HECS debt will spiral out of control. Also, student protesters (the youth committed to a cause) tend to get labelled as hooligans by the wider community. I've got a reputation to protect, and it's not as if anyone will listen anyway. It's so much easier to do nothing. Young people today are constantly being branded politically apathetic. It is, however, vitally important to distinguish between apathy and disillusionment. Aside from a few promotional pamphlets from political parties during election campaigns, the younger generations are usually swamped by the superannuation and retirement issues aimed squarely at the prolific and ageing baby boomers.

With so little emphasis placed on youth issues, young Australians are naturally becoming disillusioned. It is very difficult to develop strong feelings for a political party when, frankly, we are given no reason to. Compounding the problem is the propagation of negative and destructive youth stereotypes within the mainstream media, aimed at older generations and, too often, unquestioningly believed. To debunk the myth of the selfish, slovenly teenager you need look no further than the pages of today's youth media, such as The Age's own VCE student newspaper, SAGE. Produced by young people, for young people, this publication is one of many that aim to address some of the concerns facing the youth of today. Look inside and you will find that, contrary to popular opinion, young people are not only thinking about, but actively working to address issues within the local, wider and international communities. From students talking about their experiences of racism, to surviving year 12, to working with the elderly and disabled, to helping starving children in Africa, young people are engaging with the world with passion and commitment.

Melbourne is home to the Debaters Association of Victoria, the largest debating association in the world, which, each month, sees thousands of young people stand up and discuss issues ranging from Harry Potter to the United Nations. In less formal settings, in classrooms and locker rooms around the country, young Australians are talking about their hopes, aspirations and concerns. But who is listening? Young people are grossly underrepresented, not only in politics but also in the media. Recent youth issues — such as P-plater curfews and the increased use of anti-depressants by young people — have been batted between middle-aged academics and media experts without so much as a whisper from those they affect most. Worse, when young people are portrayed in the media, it is usually to reinforce a harmful and blatantly incorrect stereotype. The Age's August 25 story on apathetic young voters is a prime example, but by no means the only one. On June 22 this year, Channel Seven's Today Tonight ran a story titled "motivating lazy teens". In May last year there was a call for a youth curfew to lock up out-of-control teenagers. All manner of media outlets appear to be intent on portraying young people as apathetic, selfish and uninterested at best, and as wild, uncontrollable, drug-driven and trouble-making at worst.

The danger of these stereotypes is that if they are repeated enough they will become true. I'm usually a good driver, but if I do something stupid I will justify it to myself by thinking, people see my P-plates, they expect me to be a hoon, I might as well be. I do not have to point out the destructive nature of such thinking, or its terrible consequences. The youth problem will not be solved by black-listing a generation. What is needed is a greater connection between the politicians of this country and those who will take over from them. Instead of the media and older generations continually complaining about young people's lack of interest, it is time we did something about it. The majority of Australian young people are passionate, forward-thinking young adults, still idealistic enough to want to make the world a better place, but lacking one vital tool — a collective voice.

Political apathy among the young will end the day that we can voice our concerns and know that they'll be listened to, and not just shrugged aside. The alternative, a generation that simply doesn't care and, worse, has no reason to care, does not bear thinking about.

Louise Merrington
31 August 2004

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/08/30/1093852178438.html?oneclick=true

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