Unicam Focus For Students
Why Should You Care?
What do you think about curfews? Not the kind your parents make you keep on Saturday nights, but the kind your town enacts to keep kids off the street. Are they a good idea? Is it fair for a city law to dictate how late you can stay out, or should Mom or Dad or Grandma figure that out? Are you willing to accept limits on your weekend activities if it helps keep your neighborhood safe?
Many towns have enacted provisions like these, and many students probably have very strong opinions about them. However, not a lot of students voice those opinions to the individuals who make decisions like these. Have you ever heard about a law that made you angry? Have you ever acted on your concerns?
Unfortunately, the chance that you have done something is low. Sure, you have to be 18 before you can vote in elections, but students of any age can write letters to their members of Congress, state senators, city council members and school board members. However, few young adults actually exercise this right.
You may wonder, "Why bother to participate?" The better question is "Why not participate?" It doesn't take much effort to drop a letter in the mail, and your letter may help a senator or council member understand how students your age feel about an issue.
Think about it. Write your senator, representative, council member or governor. Let them know how you feel about policies that affect you. National, state, city or community leaders might make decisions that you may not agree with, but if you never inform them about how you feel about the issues, what else can they do?
