REGARDING "Youth debate gets my vote" (WT, September 30), do people honestly think that a child in year nine or year 10 is mature enough to vote?
Do they have any understanding of how this country is run and what is involved in running it?
I even think that 18-year-olds are not old enough to vote.
I have six children and none of them voted until they were at least 20.
Even they thought they did not have enough knowledge to wisely choose someone to run this country.
When we were young we helped our neighbours and friends out in time of needs, whether it was hanging out the washing, mowing the lawns, or taking care of the younger children.
That was making us responsible for others, looking out for others and caring about them. It certainly didn't mean that we could vote.
People don't seem to care for their neighbours or the elderly any more.
It is character-building to see how others live, helping those less fortunate than ourselves, helping our neighbours, the sick or the elderly when needed.
It doesn't mean they should be able to vote.
It is a very hard and cruel world that we live in today.
I think we should let our children and grandchildren enjoy their lives.
When they join the workforce or attend university, so as to create a better future for themselves, then I think they can vote.
I firmly believe that 21 is early enough to vote.
June-Allyson Mordaunt, Barry, NSW
