Here at LSU, we know all there is to know about our great nation…or do we? I ventured out on campus to see how much our LSU students know about the U.S.A. in comparison to how much they know about celebrities.
When asked who the vice president of the United States is, three out of the five that were asked did not know that the vice president is Joe Biden.
The lack of student interest in politics has taken a toll on the percentage of voters in U.S. elections. For example, voters under the age of 30 accounted for 19 percent of the midterm election votes in 2012, but, in 2014, that percentage dropped to 13 percent.
“In young people in general throughout time, we know that they’re less likely to vote,” explained Kathleen Searles, Assistant Professor of Political Communication. “They’re less likely to know about politics, they’re less likely to watch the news, and they’re less likely to talk about politics.”
However, when asked about the lives of celebrities, the students answered without thinking. A few were even able to name all of the Kardashians.
Even though students may not know all of the answers to politically based questions, they do have their own ways of participating in politics. In a world where technology rules, some young people are active in online political debates and campaigns.
“One thing that we also know is that politicians don’t talk to young people as often as they do to your parents and your grandparents,” said Searles. “If there are politicians that would speak more to young people, we might see more involvement out of young people.”
It is important that students keep up with the events that are happening around the world because they affect everyone’s lives, and you can do this while remaining updated on your favorite celebrity.