Should age restrictions be changed in the UK?

[Will.]

Driving - 17
Sexual relationships - 16
Alcohol - 18
going to doctors without parents - 16

[Will.]

I personally think driving age should be raised.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Getting out the car at the dump - 12

[Northern Monkey]

Well two of those i was doing well under age.I won't disclose which two:laugh:

[kirklancaster]

Voting - raised to 40.
Sexual Intercourse - raised to 20.
Driving - NEVER there are TOO many cars on the road now. Young legs can walk.
Drinking alcohol - raised to 30. (except for football supporters when it should be 70.)
Going to Doctors without parents - raised to 30 because parents have a right to know about STI's and stuff.
Posting on Forums - raised to 65 years - unless such posts are agreeing with Kirk, when 12 should be OK.

[Jack_]

Votes at 16 are long overdue

Maybe buying alcohol in shops at 16, but keeping licensed premises 18+

[Calderyon]

Everything changed to 18+.

[joeysteele]

Votes at 16 are long overdue

Maybe buying alcohol in shops at 16, but keeping licensed premises 18+

I'd go with the voting age to 16 definitely.

I'd leave the others as they are at present.

[kirklancaster]

Votes at 16 are long overdue

Maybe buying alcohol in shops at 16, but keeping licensed premises 18+

They are not all as intelligent and informed as you Jack. There are a LOT of 16 year olds out there who have not a clue about political issues - many of whom are too easily persuaded by propaganda or others who may not have their best interests in mind.

I think 18 is about right.

[Mokka]

They are not all as intelligent and informed as you Jack. There are a LOT of 16 year olds out there who have not a clue about political issues - many of whom are too easily persuaded by propaganda or others who may not have their best interests in mind.

I think 18 is about right.

I think you could make the same argument for the general mass of people out there though Kirk. Very few seem to have any knowledge of what their vote means, how it works, and low voter turn out at general elections is in part proof of this.

Why not engage them and educate them young to think of future things and choices for their surrounding community and country?? :shrug:

[Jack_]

They are not all as intelligent and informed as you Jack. There are a LOT of 16 year olds out there who have not a clue about political issues - many of whom are too easily persuaded by propaganda or others who may not have their best interests in mind.

I think 18 is about right.

You could say the same about much of the electorate to be honest Kirk, unfortunately once you start screening people on their political knowledge before they vote it isn't democratic anymore.

Many people underestimate 16 and 17 year olds, particularly those who are in further education and studying a social or political science. They are engaged with the world around them and know more than many people who are actually eligible to vote. I should know because I wasn't really interested in politics until I became one of them!

Those who have no interest in or are apathetic towards politics would just not vote much how those over 18 don't, but crucially those who are would. You only have to look at the Scottish Independence referendum to see how successful it was in engaging young people in politics - that is a good thing, political apathy (particularly among the young) is a terrible thing and the more they feel like they have a voice, the more involved they will become.

Above all else though is one phrase that springs to mind that trumps all of the other arguments - 'no taxation without representation'. That should be the only argument anyone needs to justify lowering the voting age.

[Cal.]

Ooh loov the alcohol age should be lowered. Everyone does it anyway!

[Mitchell]

Voting lowered to 16 definitely.

[kirklancaster]

You could say the same about much of the electorate to be honest Kirk, unfortunately once you start screening people on their political knowledge before they vote it isn't democratic anymore.

Many people underestimate 16 and 17 year olds, particularly those who are in further education and studying a social or political science. They are engaged with the world around them and know more than many people who are actually eligible to vote. I should know because I wasn't really interested in politics until I became one of them!

Those who have no interest in or are apathetic towards politics would just not vote much how those over 18 don't, but crucially those who are would. You only have to look at the Scottish Independence referendum to see how successful it was in engaging young people in politics - that is a good thing, political apathy (particularly among the young) is a terrible thing and the more they feel like they have a voice, the more involved they will become.

Above all else though is one phrase that springs to mind that trumps all of the other arguments - 'no taxation without representation'. That should be the only argument anyone needs to justify lowering the voting age.

Your view coincides with that of my own kids Jack, and as I no longer move in those circles any more which used to keep me in touch with 'academia' I will defer to your direct and superior knowledge and revise my opinion - 16 it shall be for me.

[Shaun]

Increase everything to 30, in line with the speed limit x

[Crimson Dynamo]

MILF age set to a standard 35

[jaxie]

Voting - raised to 40.
Sexual Intercourse - raised to 20.
Driving - NEVER there are TOO many cars on the road now. Young legs can walk.
Drinking alcohol - raised to 30. (except for football supporters when it should be 70.)
Going to Doctors without parents - raised to 30 because parents have a right to know about STI's and stuff.
Posting on Forums - raised to 65 years - unless such posts are agreeing with Kirk, when 12 should be OK.

:laugh:

[microscope]

Driving - 17
Sexual relationships - 16
Alcohol - 18
going to doctors without parents - 16

I would raise the age limit of driving to '18', as basically driving in a vehicle is like driving a killing machine and if you knock someone over, then at least you will be dealt with by the law as an adult. Unlike if you did it at '17'.

Well in regards to alcohol, well it's all about NOT being able to buy it from a shop unless you are '18'. But of course, you can legally drink it from the age of '5' years old at home. Also young people aged '16' or '17' can drink beer, wine or cider with a meal if it is bought by an adult and they are accompanied by an adult. So my feeling on this is that really it should stay as it is, as if it was lowered then I think too many younger people would start drinking and binge-drink, and the result of all that would do more harm than good.

I think going to the doctors by yourself below the age of '16' should be acceptable, as some children may actually be afraid of telling their parents that they have a medical problem of some kind (for many number of reasons) and it may save a lot of lives. It has been known for some parents to tell their children to go shut up and go clean their room (or whatever), if their child says that they got a pain somewhere or any other medical problems, and the result of that uncaring attitude can leave a child putting up with the pain, etc and that could eventually lead to serious problems or perhaps death, so yes definitely reduce the age.

But with sexual relationships, there is NO chance of it ever being reduced!! If the government ever did that, they would be called a bunch of paedophiles and all hell would break lose in the UK like nothing we've ever seen before. There was a story on the news about a teacher at a school and a pupil who was '15' years old and they fell madly in love and the parents found out and he lost his job and got sentenced to '5' years in prison! and the girl was only a few months away from being '16'. So in light of that and the severity of the sentence compared to some thug who beats up your grandma and puts her in intensive care and ends up with community service or a slap on the wrist, there is no chance of a reduction to '16'. But if they was to rise it to '17' or '18' then they would have to build a dozen or so more prisons in the UK, just to house all the inmates who would end up doing it below that age. Or maybe twenty dozen may be more sufficient lol.

[user104658]

I favour a staggered age of sexual consent (teens being charged for having sex with someone a year or two younger than them is ridiculous).

Driving I think there's a good argument for raising the age for safety, however, I also understand it being 17 so that people can feasibly be driving by the time they're 18 when they might need to for employment.

Alcohol tbh is fine at 18. Most people start a little younger but that's half the fun :shrug:.

Doctors without parents, I think a child of any age should be able to ask to speak privately, for various reasons. Doctor's discretion about whether or not to disclose medical details to a parent.

Voting I agree should be 16, with mandatory, unbiased classes at school on the lead up to votes. It's the perfect time to politically engage people before they're lost to it forever.

[empire]

well if im PM here is my list,
Driving-20
sexual-relationships-18
alcohol-20
doctors-16

[Ammi]

You could say the same about much of the electorate to be honest Kirk, unfortunately once you start screening people on their political knowledge before they vote it isn't democratic anymore.

Many people underestimate 16 and 17 year olds, particularly those who are in further education and studying a social or political science. They are engaged with the world around them and know more than many people who are actually eligible to vote. I should know because I wasn't really interested in politics until I became one of them!

Those who have no interest in or are apathetic towards politics would just not vote much how those over 18 don't, but crucially those who are would. You only have to look at the Scottish Independence referendum to see how successful it was in engaging young people in politics - that is a good thing, political apathy (particularly among the young) is a terrible thing and the more they feel like they have a voice, the more involved they will become.

Above all else though is one phrase that springs to mind that trumps all of the other arguments - 'no taxation without representation'. That should be the only argument anyone needs to justify lowering the voting age.

..yeah indeed, Jack...and I think the thing with this as well is that many 16yr olds are going to show an apathy for the reason that they aren't eligible to vote../the two kind of go together to a large degree as well...we can only engage them more by including them and not excluding them..I think that whatever someone's age, they wouldn't engage so much in any interest in politics if they new that their voice wasn't going to be heard, you know...so it's like a vicious circle thing really ...or maybe more a contradictory thing of saying..16yr olds are not interested in politics while excluding them from politics and so reducing their interest ..:laugh:..even at primary school level, children engage much more with what they're included in, like electing house captains and councillors etc ../a no brainer type thing....

[Tom4784]

I'd change the legal age for driving to 18 and lower the voting age to 16.

I think all the other age restrictions are fine.

[Livia]

18 is the age of majority. It should be the legal age for everything.

[joeysteele]

..yeah indeed, Jack...and I think the thing with this as well is that many 16yr olds are going to show an apathy for the reason that they aren't eligible to vote../the two kind of go together to a large degree as well...we can only engage them more by including them and not excluding them..I think that whatever someone's age, they wouldn't engage so much in any interest in politics if they new that their voice wasn't going to be heard, you know...so it's like a vicious circle thing really ...or maybe more a contradictory thing of saying..16yr olds are not interested in politics while excluding them from politics and so reducing their interest ..:laugh:..even at primary school level, children engage much more with what they're included in, like electing house captains and councillors etc ../a no brainer type thing....

Absolutely, this is a post filled with good and reasoned points all though in my view.

[Ellen]

18 for all, that is when you are legally classed as an adult.

[Amy Jade]

I passed my driving test at 16 and it kind of annoys me people want it raised - not to blow my own horn but I'm actually a good driver, I've never once been in an accident and I've only been stopped routinely. Yes, some young drivers are idiots but you know what so are some older people and I've found its the people who are im patient of young drivers who are more likely to cause accidents.

[jennyjuniper]

Everything changed to 18+.

I'd go along with this.

[Daniel-X]

Buying cigarettes should be lowered to 16, it's stupid that you can smoke at 16 but can't buy till 18. Voting and alcohol should also be lowered to 16.

[Marsh.]

I personally think driving age should be raised.

This.

The insurance for 17-25 year olds is actually a joke.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Buying cigarettes should be lowered to 16, it's stupid that you can smoke at 16 but can't buy till 18. Voting and alcohol should also be lowered to 16.
:nono:

Cigarettes should be banned full stop or raised till at least 30

Alcohol is fine where it is

[Jake.]

I wouldn't change any of them

[Braden]

The thing about lowering the age limit for sixteen year olds to buy ciagrettes and alcohol is that it could have a negative impact on people even younger (imo).

I know it's likely for young teenagers to have fun with alcohol at a young age anyway, but I feel the lowering the age limit will have an impressionable influence on kids wanting to experiment with these substances. It's just not a healthy lifestyle imo. If I were to ever have children I would be worried at the fact that they were drinking at sixteen to be completely honest.

[AnnieK]

I passed my driving test at 16 and it kind of annoys me people want it raised - not to blow my own horn but I'm actually a good driver, I've never once been in an accident and I've only been stopped routinely. Yes, some young drivers are idiots but you know what so are some older people and I've found its the people who are im patient of young drivers who are more likely to cause accidents.

How did you pass your driving test at 16? Not doubting you but wasn't aware you could do that