The Youth Voice Shouldn’t Be Optional — It Should Be Mandatory

August 21, 2025

Despite actively shaping policies that directly impact young people's lives, society consistently excludes youth from meaningful participation in decision-making processes. Young people experience firsthand the consequences of policies regarding education, safety, climate change, and economic challenges, yet are rarely given genuine opportunities to contribute to solutions. The article argues that youth engagement should be mandatory rather than optional, highlighting numerous examples of young people making significant impacts when given proper access and authority.

Who is affected

Young people/youth who are excluded from decision-making processes
Students who experience unsafe school buses, teacher shortages, and crumbling infrastructure
Youth in communities with limited access to healthy food, affordable housing, and stable internet
Young people who witness family struggles with rising costs, gun violence, and healthcare disparities
Communities that miss out on the benefits of youth civic engagement

What action is being taken

Young people are organizing national walkouts demanding safer schools
Teen activists are speaking at climate summits and testifying before Congress
Young entrepreneurs are launching nonprofits and tech solutions to tackle inequality
Youth leaders are stepping up and making measurable impacts across the country
Some communities are incorporating youth representatives in decision-making processes

Why it matters

Youth experience the consequences of policy decisions directly in their daily lives
Research from CIRCLE at Tufts University shows communities with youth civic engagement see measurable benefits
Young people bring unique lived experiences and perspectives that offer valuable insights for solving current problems
Issues like economic inequality, gun violence, climate change, and democratic erosion require diverse perspectives for sustainable solutions
Current token inclusion practices waste the potential contributions of young people who have "passion, clarity, and power to lead"

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint