A sobering phenomenon about the recent referendum in Great Britain was the low turnout by those who will be most affected by the break-up — the young.
While voter turnout was high, at least by U.S. standards, at 67.5 percent, the largest majorities were those either in or nearing retirement age.
Only 36 percent of those 18 to 24 voted, compared to 83 percent of those 65 and older.
Exiting the European Union will close the door on the many educational and professional opportunities that as a member the British have enjoyed these past 43 years. It also will prevent UK industries and businesses from freely trading their products with the other 27 countries that belong to the EU.
In short, leaving the European Union closes off a lot of opportunities for the young.
That so few of that demographic participated in the June 23 referendum points to some disturbing trends.
Top of the list was a woeful lack of awareness of the significance of the vote.
With social media as their primary source of information, and please, don’t confuse that with news, younger voters were blithely unaware of the consequences of the vote.
Such ignorance translates into voter apathy, leaving decisions to be made by the older generations.
This lack of involvement in civic affairs is as prevalent in the United States. Civics has fallen to the wayside as a dinner table conversation.
And because politicians know who butters their bread — big business and special interest groups — they direct their attention to them. So if our elected officials give short notice to the interests of today’s youth it’s no surprise that very demographic becomes cynical about the value of a representative democracy.
In Kansas, for example, poll after poll shows students do not want guns allowed on college campuses. Polls taken at the University of Kansas, Pittsburg State University, Kansas State University, Wichita State, Emporia State, and Fort Hays University, showed that 70 percent of respondents oppose concealed carry for weapons on school grounds.
The result?
Not a blame thing.
As of summer 2017, guns will be allowed on the campus and in the classroom of every Kansas community college and university as per Kansas law.
