Should all our leaders be under 30? The election of a young Afro-Cuban to US Congress has re-ignited the debate about how old our politicians should be.
The 26-year-old who wants to change politics
Should all our leaders be under 30? The election of a young Afro-Cuban to US Congress has re-ignited the debate about how old our politicians should be.
Visionary
Harry Styles and Ariana Grande are not normally names you would expect politicians to mention when it comes to their favourite music. But then 26-year-old Maxwell Frost, whose mother is Puerto Rican and whose father is from Haiti, is not your average politician.
On 9 November 2022, a couple of months ahead of his 26th birthday, Frost became the first Afro-Cuban and representative of Gen ZShort for Generation Z, meaning people born in the late 1990s and early 2000s. to be elected to the US CongressThe legislative branch of the American government, where elected representatives vote on which laws should be passed. Congress is made up of two chambers: the Senate, which contains two members from each of the 50 states, and the House of Representatives, which has representatives from 435 smaller districts. after winning his seat in Florida.
"We made history for Floridians, for Gen Z, and for everyone who believes we deserve a better future," he tweeted upon hearing the news.
Frost wants to solve issues such as mass shootings, racism and poverty amongst young people. But it is his age which has made headlines around the world. He is significantly younger than many politicians both in America and elsewhere in the world.
American politicians are, on average, roughly 20 years older than most of the population,1 whilst in Britain, the average age for Cabinet ministers is 52.
Frost's election to Congress raises questions about how old our politicians should be. Should older people decide what happens for everyone or should younger people to be more involved?
Many believe that young people are better suited to politics as they have new, fresh ideas and more energy.
"I think the old age of legislators is a problem," says former prime minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark. I think a parliament is a place where young people with fresh perspectives should be."
Not everyone however, believes age and maturity should be a problem. American journalist David Brooks once remarked "we get better at life as we get older".
One thing that most people do agree on is that they want politicians who are their own age and who understand them. Niyah Lowell is a friend of Maxwell Frost. "Now," she says, "we have someone [in power], who is like us, [and] knows exactly what we're going through."
Yes: Young people are more dynamic, have more energy and have fresher, more innovative ideas. They deserve to be represented as much as anyone else.
No: We need people who bring age, wisdom and experience to lead us. And populations the world over are ageing. Older people need a voice too.
Or... We need to have a combination of both young and older people making our decisions so that all members of society are represented.
Should all our leaders be under 30?
Keywords
Gen Z - Short for Generation Z, meaning people born in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Congress - The legislative branch of the American government, where elected representatives vote on which laws should be passed. Congress is made up of two chambers: the Senate, which contains two members from each of the 50 states, and the House of Representatives, which has representatives from 435 smaller districts.
The 26-year-old who wants to change politics
Glossary
Gen Z - Short for Generation Z, meaning people born in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Congress - The legislative branch of the American government, where elected representatives vote on which laws should be passed. Congress is made up of two chambers: the Senate, which contains two members from each of the 50 states, and the House of Representatives, which has representatives from 435 smaller districts.