How to Talk to Teens About Voting

When I think back on the first election I voted in, I remember the excitement and nerves that filled that day. Regardless of whether the candidates I supported won, I felt proud to be part of the process. However, not all young people experience these feelings. The voting process can be overwhelming, leading some to turn down their feelings and convince themselves they don’t care. Since voting is an important part of civic engagement, some teens and young adults may turn to their parents or other adults for guidance. It’s essential to have open conversations with your child if they look for help or want to talk about how they feel about voting.

About half of adolescents and young adults voted in the 2020 presidential election. While this is the highest turnout rate since the voting age was lowered to 18 in 1971, young people still represent the lowest voter turnout age group. This trend continues despite evidence showing that youth participation in civic engagement—actions aimed at identifying or addressing community concerns—is linked to an increase in future optimism, life satisfaction, educational achievement, and household income. It’s also connected to a decrease in depression and risky behaviors. Civic engagement supports well-being in young people by fostering positive youth development, enhancing confidence in one’s abilities, and connecting them to community resources.

So, how can we effectively talk with young adults about their civic engagement and encourage young adults to participate in the voting process to make their voices heard?

Parents Make a Difference 

Removing barriers—like transportation issues, work commitments, and voter suppression—is crucial. But we must also recognize the major influence parents can have on their child’s motivation to vote. We conducted interviews with young adults in Baltimore shortly after the 2020 presidential election. Many of the responses emphasize how much attention they pay to their parents’ voting behavior and their parents support for them to advocate for their needs:

“You know, a lot of young people feel like they have nobody to talk to. A lot of young people feel like they don’t care because, you know, they see their parents don’t care. Or other people around them don’t care. And it shouldn’t be like that.” — 19-year-old.

“All the parental figures in my life basically told me to just speak my mind, speak what’s on my mind, or my chest. Just get it out, let it out.” — 21-year-old. 

“I’ve been watching my mom vote ever since I was in elementary school … while I was in first grade watching her vote, but as I got older up to middle school and high school, it’s always going with my mother to vote on top of that.” — 23-year-old.

Start Talking About Voting With Your Child

So, how and when do you start the conversation about voting with your child? It begins with understanding where they are in their development.

• Early Adolescence (11-13 years): This stage is marked by rapid physical changes and a focus on self. Young adolescents often think concretely and struggle with recognizing others’ feelings. Start conversations by asking them what they know and think about voting. Allow them to guide the discussion. A question to get the conversation started might be, “The elections are coming up. What do you think about voting?”
• Middle Adolescence (14-16 years): During this phase, teens are more influenced by their peers and they may try to test boundaries, often leading to parent-child conflicts. Idealism gives way to more realistic career and academic goals. Discuss how government decisions impact their daily lives, linking their interests to larger societal issues. Consider something like, “I know it’s hard to connect politics to your daily life, but have you thought about how the decisions politicians make can affect your school, community, or recreational activities?”
• Late Adolescence (17-21 years): At this point, teens are often more capable of logical thinking and understanding future planning. They become more open to compromise and develop a broader perspective on issues. Focus conversations on community concerns and emphasize the importance of civic engagement. For example, you could say, “As you get older, you will likely have more responsibilities, including working, choosing a career, and managing finances. Once you’re 18, you can participate in electing officials that can impact your daily responsibilities. This is an example of civic engagement. Have you thought about whether you want to be involved in your community?”

Regardless of age, it’s key to approach these discussions from a nonpartisan perspective – ensuring you don’t take sides. Political conversations can become charged, so maintaining a neutral viewpoint can help navigate differing views between a parent or caring adult and a young person. Your goal is to promote civic engagement, not to persuade your child to adopt a specific political stance.

This article was written by Faye Korich, MD, MHS. Dr. Korich is an attending physician in the Division of Adolescent Medicine and at PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).