Civics 101: Take your kids with you when you vote!
Submitted by R. Neal on Thu, 01/17/2008 - 12:40.
Discussions about youth involvement in government and politics frequently turn to the question: "Do they still teach civics these days?"
With early voting underway, State Sen. Rosalind Kurita reminds parents they have an excellent opportunity for a real life civics lesson: Take your kids with you when you vote!
Sen. Kurita (D-Clarksville) introduced legislation a while back to require a separate civics course in at least one grade between fifth and eighth, saying "We have responsibilities to our community and to other people to be good citizens, and I think that civic classes are a way to teach how comprehensive this responsibility really is."
The bill was deferred and the Tennessee Commission on Civics Education, chaired by Sen. Kurita, was tasked with studying the current status of civics education in Tennessee and making recommendations. The state does not currently require separate civics classes, which have been in decline partly because of attention and resources shifted to No Child Left Behind.
The commission reviewed the current state of civics education and surveyed every school in Tennessee about their programs. The commission also heard from Secretary of State Trey Grayson of Kentucky who has made civics education one of his main initiatives.
The Commission on Civics Education reviewed the survey results and other findings to recommend legislation, which Sen. Kurita will introduce.
One simple suggestion was to "take your kids with you when you vote." The committee found that children are far more likely to become active voters as adults if their parents take them with them when they vote.
This morning, Sen. Kurita passed SJR604 which "encourages every parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or other adult guardian to take a child with you to vote on election day as a first-hand civic learning experience and an example of good citizenship in action."
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/17/2008 - 13:17.
Back in 1976, my parents wanted me to go with them to vote. I opted to stay home. They were given peanuts, from the Carter campaign I guess. They waited until they got home and ate them in front of me - not offering any. When I asked for some of the peanuts, they said that only people who went to the polls got to eat any.
Bill Hobbs just released a presser accusing the Democrats of voter fraud for taking their kids to the polls and calling for a law requiring these kids to have ID if they want to accompany their parents.
Submitted by Blue Sumner Daze on Thu, 01/17/2008 - 16:21.
Excellent point. I was first wheeled into a voting booth in 1952 to vote for Stevenson-Kefauver and the habit stuck. Not only do we take the kids, last year I brought the youngest along with me as I worked as a poll watcher. She was there for the precinct tallies and took it all in. She's also become good at marching in parades, handing out balloons etc., and she's absorbing grass roots politics at every step of the way. No better civics lesson.
If you think you're too small to be effective, you've never been in the dark with a mosquito.
Submitted by Pam Strickland on Thu, 01/17/2008 - 17:41.
I well remember going to the polls with my g'mother when I was a child. I can practically smell the entire process. She also took me to political rallies. I wouldn't trade that for anything.
Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 01/20/2008 - 18:46.
VolAbroad, that's funny/awesome. I used to go into the voting booth (when it was an honest-to-goodness booth) with my grandmother, and that has always stuck with me.
Back in 1976, my parents wanted me to go with them to vote. I opted to stay home. They were given peanuts, from the Carter campaign I guess. They waited until they got home and ate them in front of me - not offering any. When I asked for some of the peanuts, they said that only people who went to the polls got to eat any.
There was a civics lesson.
The Vol Abroad
Bill Hobbs just released a presser accusing the Democrats of voter fraud for taking their kids to the polls and calling for a law requiring these kids to have ID if they want to accompany their parents.
;)
Good for Kurita for thinking to civil minded citizens and it should start young.
Too bad the republicans don't get it.
John Edwards is the candidate of HOPE, I will vote for JRE 2008! Join me for real change, not money or media hype, but real change for America.
Excellent point. I was first wheeled into a voting booth in 1952 to vote for Stevenson-Kefauver and the habit stuck. Not only do we take the kids, last year I brought the youngest along with me as I worked as a poll watcher. She was there for the precinct tallies and took it all in. She's also become good at marching in parades, handing out balloons etc., and she's absorbing grass roots politics at every step of the way. No better civics lesson.
If you think you're too small to be effective, you've never been in the dark with a mosquito.
I well remember going to the polls with my g'mother when I was a child. I can practically smell the entire process. She also took me to political rallies. I wouldn't trade that for anything.
pgs
Pam Strickland
VolAbroad, that's funny/awesome. I used to go into the voting booth (when it was an honest-to-goodness booth) with my grandmother, and that has always stuck with me.
-Rachel (Women's Health News)