A recent Pew Research Center report showed that Americans today really don’t feel much pressure to keep up with news and public issues. In fact, only 37% of Americans think that it is important to keep abreast of current events shaping U.S. and world politics.
While my sons, who are in their 20s and 30s, might occasionally ask me questions like “why are gas prices dropping?”, they do not regularly watch TV news, read a newspaper, or even use the internet or social media to keep up with news and public issues. In fact, only one in five Americans says it is part of their civic duty as a voting American to stay informed.
Younger Americans, who have access to an unprecedented amount of information on smartphones, tablets, internet, etc., feel even less obligated to understand the issues facing our country.
Civic virtue is in serious decline, especially with the younger generation. I believe that as a country that is a constitutionally limited representative democratic republic, every American, rich or poor, young or old, has the civic duty to keep up with news and public issues that affect us all, so long as they have the right to vote.
Personally, I take every opportunity to corner my adult children and talk to them about pressing issues of the day. I do my best to represent both sides of the issues when talking to them, but often express my exasperation with certain issues about which I feel particularly strongly.
With today’s 24/7 news cycle, there is no excuse for an absence of information. There is only the eroding sense of duty felt by Americans to remain informed. If you are reading this post today, share it with your friends and make a commitment to talk to your children tonight and instill in them the value that we as Americans have to remain actively engaged in the news and public issues affecting us all.
