Even though teens can’t vote until age 18, they want their opinions considered on important topics. Today’s teens are interested in issues relating to every aspect of their lives from environmental concerns to privileges like driving.

 

Teens and Driving

The legal driving age is a hot topic for teens as they reach the age to earn this privilege. Each state sets the legal

  • Some states offer limited driver’s licenses. This begins with a permit which is often issued at age 15, and the allowed driving time increases with experience and age.
  • Others place limits on the number of passengers a 16-year-old can have in the car as well as institute curfews.
  • Some tie the approval of a driver’s license to school performance and the completion of driver’s education courses.

Teens and Gender Equality

The age-old struggle of male versus female roles and opportunities carries on with today’s youth. Teens express a desire to see , but not necessarily in household roles. Both boys and girls see a need for gender equality, making this a universal issue.

  • More than half of teens think the ideal family consists of the man working outside the home and the woman taking care of the home and children. The number of teens with this attitude has been on the rise since the early 1990s.
  • About 90 percent of teens think men and women should be equal in the workplace.
  • Young women earn 24 percent less than young men at work.
  • Women account for less than 15 percent of government officials around the world.

Teens and Higher Education

Adult attitudes on the student loan crisis and a push for free higher education opportunities for low-income kids aren’t necessarily echoed by teens.  on attitudes toward the importance of a college education and the student loan crisis indicate teens still value higher education and don’t view student loans as a college deterrent.

  • About 90 percent of teens plan to attend college.
  • Around 60 percent of teens suggest they can find a way to afford college without student loans.
  • Only 11 percent of teens believe the government should help individuals struggling with student loan debt.