[DanaC]

If they're old enough to work, marry (with parental permission), join the army and most important of all pay income tax, they should be allowed to vote.

Right now, every 16 year old in work is subjected to taxation without representation.

They also should sort out the minimum wage for youngsters. It's a disgrace that a 17 year old can do exactly the same job of work as a 27 year old in the same company and get paid a different wage for that work. It's also ever more important, given the stripping back of benefits for the under 25s (housing benefit in particular) that their work pay a living wage.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by DanaC

If they're old enough to work, marry (with parental permission), join the army and most important of all pay income tax, they should be allowed to vote.

Right now, every 16 year old in work is subjected to taxation without representation.

They also should sort out the minimum wage for youngsters. It's a disgrace that a 17 year old can do exactly the same job of work as a 27 year old in the same company and get paid a different wage for that work. It's also ever more important, given the stripping back of benefits for the under 25s (housing benefit in particular) that their work pay a living wage.

Really well said DanaC, I agree with all that too.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by DanaC

If they're old enough to work, marry (with parental permission), join the army and most important of all pay income tax, they should be allowed to vote.

Right now, every 16 year old in work is subjected to taxation without representation.

They also should sort out the minimum wage for youngsters. It's a disgrace that a 17 year old can do exactly the same job of work as a 27 year old in the same company and get paid a different wage for that work. It's also ever more important, given the stripping back of benefits for the under 25s (housing benefit in particular) that their work pay a living wage.

I recall a thread on here not long ago about a fifteen year old girl who ran off with her maths teacher. lots of people were really concerned because she was a "child" and that she was unable to make sensible decisions for herself. And yet the suggestion here is that just months later, she would be adult enough to vote. I don't think so.

Lots of people pay tax in this country without representation but they're not expecting to be made a special case. What's more, lots of people who are eligible to vote don't think it's important enough to get off their backsides because less than 50% of the people eligible to vote actually do.

For the sake of clarity, you specifically mentioned that to marry, a 16 year old needs parental permission. You didn't make the same distinction about the army, although anyone under 18 would need their parents' consent to join. And then they would not be placed on active service until they were 18 - the age of majority. Just thought I'd straighten that one out.