Forum: Keep children out of politics
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A video featuring a boy – probably not more than five – holding a political party flag and saying “Vote for XX party” has been circulating on Facebook. The video was taken by a woman who can be heard giving a cue to the boy to start saying his sentence.
I understand the general election is coming soon, and all political parties are busy meeting residents on the ground and asking for support. Supporters of political parties are also busy hyping up the presence of political parties or their candidates by sharing news, videos and comments online.
I think the stage of politics belongs to adults, and children should not be roped in as props. Children do not know much about what is going on in the world, not to mention politics. They should grow up learning and doing what children of their age should be doing and be spared the stress, angst and challenges adults face in politics.
Using children in a political campaign is irresponsible. We should leave children out of political fights and make the general election an ethical and meaningful event for the nation.
Steven Lim
