There are calls to allow young people 16-17 to be allowed to vote. It is accepted virtually universally that the human brain does not fully develop until 22-24 years.
I’m not necessarily for or against but I do refer to what medical scientists say including “The Adolescent Brain Vs the Adult” e.g. “Frontal lobe is the part of our brain that controls impulse, emotion, judgement and empathy in an adult-like fashion. Limbic system controls impulse, sexual behaviour, emotion and risk/reward. There is a temporary imbalance in the rate of development in the two systems in the adolescent brain which causes a challenge when it comes to making the right decision. Teens and adults have the same capacity to see between right and wrong, but teens have trouble making the correct decision in the moment. Teens think with the amygdala, the emotional part of the limbic system. The emotional centre of the brain and decision-making part are developing at different rates, leading to more emotions and less thinking when making decisions.” None of what has been said is intended to reflect on those 18-24.
- C. Parrett, Barton ACT
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