HOW refreshing to read an article that presents our young folk in a favourable light ("Youth debate gets my vote", WT, September 30).

From my experience, most teenagers have a clear sense of fairness and social justice, which unfortunately often disappears as they get older.

My suggestion would be that voting, at all levels of government should be made voluntary for 16 and 17 year olds.

This would allow young people to become actively involved in the process, if they wish, and encourage them to learnabout how our communities and this country are governed.

If there is no room in the current curriculum for an education program to inform our young people about the value of their vote, then I am sure an online forum would serve just as well for those who wish to be informed.

Although my children have long since left school, I do remember many discussions with them and their friends about issues for which they were passionate and I also remember the frustration they felt as they could not have their say.

We must remember that our children are the future and suppression of their voices, even if they may seem young and idealistic, may well suffocate their willingness to become involved at a later stage.

Let us encourage our teenagers to become involved in the debate on the future of their community and this country.

Maureen Glazebrook, Endeavour Hills