Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
mercredi 11 novembre 2020
You'll See Hufflepuffs in a Whole New, Romantic Light Thanks to This Themed Wedding Shoot
Hufflepuff is easily one of the most underrated houses in the Harry Potter series. If you're a Harry Potter fan, then you know that to be a Hufflepuff one must be loyal, patient, and brave. Photographer and event planner Jessica Thomas decided to create a styled wedding shoot at Field Manor in Merritt Island, FL, to celebrate the magic of Hufflepuff in a tasteful and chic way.
"This styled shoot kept its theme while maintaining the elegance of a wedding day. The color scheme of rich yellows and blacks, in combination with the pops of gold, gave this shoot the perfect bohemian and free-spirited look reminiscing the loyal wizardry House," Jessica told POPSUGAR. "Each photo was conceptualized with the idea of romanticizing the kitschy trend of geek weddings and staying far away from the 'comic book' theme that most portray."
With the help of an amazing team of vendors, Jessica managed to transform the venue into a Hufflepuff dream. They decorated a long wooden table with black and golden plates and cutlery before topping it off with a wand. The shoot had four models, each with a dazzling look, but what really stood out was the fierce black gown worn by one of them. It perfectly contrasted her yellow and white bouquet. Jessica captured fantastic shots during golden hour, and the photos are stunning! Keep reading to take a look for yourself.
Yes, You Can Be Asexual and Sex Positive - Here's How That Works
Leaving my hometown after I turned 18 was a great time for my self-discovery. I was very repressed in high school, so coming out to my family as queer and asexual immensely improved my mental health, and learning how to live my truth has motivated me to continue to work on bettering myself. However, that was also an important time for me to unlearn a lot of unhealthy and harmful misconceptions I had about dating and sexuality.
Before I first came to terms with the fact that I am asexual, I was mostly in denial because I am also a very sex-positive person. I used to believe that these two worlds were at odds with each other, but now I know this is a very misguided view that a lot of people have about asexuality, which isn't surprising, since asexual representation is still very sparse.
Believe it or not, asexuality is actually intrinsically linked to sex positivity. There is no strict criteria for being asexual, and everybody on the asexual spectrum has a unique experience that doesn't necessarily match other asexual people. Here are some important things to know about the connection between asexuality and sex positivity.
Coming to terms with my sexuality was about prioritizing my own mental and sexual health without feeling obligated to date or have sex with other people because of guilt or social pressure.
Asexual does not mean an aversion to sex. Asexuality is a spectrum, which means it looks different for everybody. Asexuality does not mean celibacy or lacking libido - it simply means that a person doesn't always experience sexual attraction. I am asexual and panromantic, which means I am attracted to all people regardless of gender, but I am also generally disinterested in sex for myself. However, this doesn't mean I have never felt sexual attraction before or that I am not allowed to. My asexuality does not invalidate my sex-positive nature or my passion to stay involved in the movement to make the world a better and more inclusive place for everybody to express their sexuality freely and without stigma.
Sex positivity is primarily recognized as a movement to recognize sex as a normal, healthy, and important part of life. While this is true, we must also acknowledge the fact that the sex-positive movement is supposed to challenge harmful social and cultural norms about sex and sexuality. It's about removing stigma from all forms of sexual attraction and expression, including asexuality. There are also many asexual people who are into BDSM and kink.
Coming to terms with my sexuality was about prioritizing my own mental and sexual health without feeling obligated to date or have sex with other people because of guilt or social pressure. That wouldn't be fair to myself, and it wouldn't be fair to my romantic partners, either. Sometimes I masturbate, but I don't consider sexual activity with other people to be a necessary component of my love life. That's not to say that everybody else who is asexual feels the same, though. There are also people on the asexual spectrum who are in relationships and sexually active but do not consider sex to be a requirement for a successful relationship. The reason asexuality is a necessary part of the sex-positive movement is because it challenges unhealthy norms about sex and sexuality.
However, there is also a lot of misrepresentation. Unfortunately, if you ask the average person who doesn't have much knowledge about asexuality - including other members of the LGBTQIA+ community - they will likely have the misguided perception that I once had, which is that asexual people have an aversion to sex. This misconception was highlighted in a 2018 BBC3 documentary about young asexual people, which had the controversial and misleading title I Don't Want Sex. Asexual people who were interviewed in the documentary later spoke out against it for perpetuating harmful stereotypes about asexuality. This highlights harmful and widespread misconceptions about asexuals being "late bloomers" who are "afraid of sex," which many people still believe.
If people want to be more educated about the topic, it's so important that they listen to asexual people and what we have to say. A few great places to learn more about sex positivity in asexual communities is by visiting the Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN) website. There are also many asexual public figures who are pushing the conversation forward, including Yasmin Benoit, a British lingerie model and asexual activist who is very outspoken about sex positivity. There's also author Angela Chen, who recently wrote a book called Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex, where she interviewed several asexual women about their experiences.
The fight for LGBTQIA+ rights is far from over, and there needs to be more adequate representation for asexual people, especially asexuals who are sex positive like me, because, yes, we do exist!
mardi 10 novembre 2020
Your Long-Distance Best Friend Will Cherish These 17 Gifts
Being in an LDF (long-distance friendship) requires a whole lot of texting, Facetimes, and love. But the best part is that no matter how long the two of you have been apart or how far away you are, it's always like no time has passed the second you reunite. Whether you met met online or had to move away from each other, these gifts will let your friend know how much you care for them. This year, give your long-distance best friend a gift that they'll cherish and speaks to your special relationship. From long-distance Netflix-partying to Facetime gossip and wine sessions, these finds will only enhance your friendship. We curated some of the cutest and heart-warming gifts that embody the joy of friendship, especially during the holiday season.
- Additional reporting by Nicole Yi
Related: 113 Gifts Your Best Friend Will Obsess Over in 2020
dimanche 8 novembre 2020
"I Will Not Be the Last": Kamala Harris's Victory Speech Sent Inspiration to Girls Everywhere
Kamala Harris was first out on the stage in Wilmington, DE, tonight, as she and Joe Biden addressed the American people for the first time as Vice President-elect and President-elect of the United States. While Biden's speech focused on unifying the American people and laying out key policies, Harris used her time to frame race as a mandate not only against Donald Trump, but for the upholding of democracy. Along the way, she took stock of her own place in history, as now the first woman, Black woman, and woman of South Asian descent to be elected as vice president.
Harris began her speech with a poignant quote from the late Congressman John Lewis: "Democracy is not a state, it is an act." What he meant, she explained, "is that America's democracy is not guaranteed. It is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it, to guard it, and never take it for granted." It was a gesture towards the struggle that many Americans went through to vote and make their voices heard this election, whether they were standing in poll lines for hours or fighting to get themselves registered.
"When our very democracy was on the ballot in this election, the very soul of America at stake, and the world watching," Harris said, "you ushered in a new day for America."
In the most emotional section of the speech, Harris focused on her own history and that of her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris. "When she came here from India at the age of 19, she maybe didn't quite imagine this moment," Harris said. "But she believed so deeply in an America where a moment like this is possible, and so I am thinking about her, and about the generations of women, Black women, Asian, white, Latina, Native American women, who throughout our nation's history have paved the way for this moment tonight." Black women in particular, Harris said, "are often too often overlooked, but so often prove they are the backbone of our democracy."
Drawing the speech to its powerful close, Harris turned to both President-elect Biden and the future of the country. "What a testament it is to Joe's character," she said, "that he had the audacity to break one of the most substantial barriers and select a woman as his vice president. But while I might be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last."
"Every little girl watching tonight," Harris went on, "sees that this is a country of possibilities. And to the children of our country, regardless of your gender, our country has sent you a clear message: dream with ambition, lead with conviction, and see yourselves in a way that others may not, simply because they've never seen it before. But know that we will applaud you every step of the way."
"This Is the Time to Heal": Joe Biden's Victory Speech Brings a Message of Hope and Unity
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris took the stage in Wilmington, DE, to accept the roles of president-elect and vice president-elect, bringing at least some closure to a long and tense race against President Donald Trump. Biden's rousing speech, delivered to a packed parking lot of mask-wearing supporters cheering from the hoods of their cars, delivered the strong message of unity and healing that he's championed throughout his campaign.
"I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide, but unify," the former vice president said. "Who doesn't see red states and blue states, only sees the United States." He soon addressed the voters who cast their ballots for Trump, telling them, "I understand your disappointment tonight. I've lost a couple times myself. But now let's give each other a chance. It's time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again. And to make progress, we have to stop treating our opponents as our enemies. They are not our enemies, they're Americans."
He added: "This is the time to heal in America."
While his speech looked toward both the future and the past, Biden also made a point of singling out Harris's historic achievement in the present. With Harris's election to the vice presidency, Biden said, she "makes history as the first woman, first Black woman, the first woman from South Asian descent, the first daughter of immigrants ever elected in this country. Don't tell me it's not possible in the United States. It's long overdue."
Biden also paused to recognize Black voters, whose support of him at the polls made his election possible. "Especially for those moments when this campaign was at its lowest ebb, the African American community stood up again for me. You've always had my back, and I'll have yours."
And, as he has throughout his campaign, Biden assured voters from across the political spectrum that he would fight for and represent them in the Oval Office. "I'm a proud Democrat, but I will govern as an American president," he said. "I will work as hard for those who didn't vote for me as those who did."
mercredi 4 novembre 2020
The Election May Not Be Over Yet, but These Inspiring Women Made History Tonight
With a record number of mail-in ballots submitted across the country for the 2020 presidential election, official results may not be announced for days or weeks to come. As the nation patiently awaits the final results, newly elected state officials from coast to coast have already made history. In Delaware, on Nov. 3, Sarah McBride became the first openly transgender state senator - making her the highest-ranking trans official in US history - and Daniella Levine Cava became the first woman mayor of Miami-Dade County in Florida. As results continue to be announced, women officials from all backgrounds are rising to positions of power. Keep reading to see all of the impressive women who have made their mark on the 2020 election.
Joe Biden Delivers Optimistic Speech on Election Night: "We Feel Good About Where We Are"
With results yet to be declared on Election Night, as several key states have not been called for either candidate, Joe Biden delivered an optimistic message to Americans early in the morning on Nov. 4. At a drive-in event in Wilmington, DE, the presidential candidate spoke briefly about his confidence in the latest election results and prepared Americans for what may be a delayed outcome ahead. "Look, we feel good about where we are," he said, joined by wife Jill Biden on stage. "We really do. I'm here to tell you tonight, we believe we're on track to win this election. We knew because of the unprecedented early vote and the mail-in vote, it was going to take a while. We're going to have to be patient until the hard work of tallying of the votes is finished. It ain't over until every vote is counted, every ballot is counted."
"As I've said all along, it's not my place or Donald Trump's place to declare who's won the election. That's the decision of the American people."
Biden also commended everyone's patience and shared that he "felt good" about the current results in key battleground states like Wisconsin, Minnesota, Georgia, and Pennsylvania as many mail-in ballots have yet to be counted. "Look, we can know the results as early as tomorrow morning, but it may take a little longer," he continued. "As I've said all along, it's not my place or Donald Trump's place to declare who's won the election. That's the decision of the American people."
mardi 3 novembre 2020
21 Blue Light Glasses That Will Save Your Eyes From Hours of Screen Time
In 2020, most people are spending an enormous chunk of their days staring at screens. Since we're now always on your laptop or glued to our phones, for work, working out, and socializing, all that light exposure can't be good for our eyes. Enter blue light glasses. They're the kind of thing you didn't know you needed, but once you have them, they're never coming off.
I've been wearing my pair for a little over a year now; they're the first thing I put on when I get to my computer every morning, and they've made my 5 p.m. dry eye go away completely. If you're living in the 21st century, it may be time to look into some blue light glasses. Just keep reading to shop our picks.
samedi 31 octobre 2020
The Best Book-Inspired Halloween Costume Ideas For the Literary-Lover
If you're a self-proclaimed bookworm, then dressing up as your favorite literary character is the best way to go this Halloween. There are countless characters to take on and plenty of bookish outfits that big readers will totally get a kick out of. From fantasy legends to real-life heros, these book-inspired costumes will make you never want to turn the page on this year's Halloween. Whether you want to pull off a funny couples costume influenced by your favorite book (see: the old man and the sea costume from Hemingway's book) or your love of books is as strong as Belle's from Beauty and the Beast, these costumes will give you all the inspiration you need to win this Halloween. Check out the best literary-themed costume ideas, ahead!
- Additional reporting by Lauren Harano
mercredi 28 octobre 2020
50 Genius Tech Gifts For Every Guy in Your Life - All Under $100
The only thing harder than getting a man the perfect gift? Getting the perfect on-trend tech gift for that special someone. The good news is we're here to help: we've combed through everything that's hot this season and come up with a list of gift ideas that will tick every box for the guy in your life. From gifts for gamers to relaxing massagers and cool speakers, keep reading to shop these genius finds. Plus, everything costs $100 or less, so you can cross everyone off your list.
- Additional Reporting by Chelsea Adelaine Hassler
jeudi 22 octobre 2020
You Should Care About Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Among Us Stream, Even If You're Not a Gamer
My husband is a gamer, I'm not. But on Tuesday night, we gathered around his laptop with a united interest: to watch Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar play Among Us. The congresswomen ventured where very few politicians have publicly gone before - to Twitch, a streaming site most often used for video games.
The idea started with a tweet. On Oct. 19, Ocasio-Cortez wrote, "Anyone want to play Among Us with me on Twitch to get out the vote? (I've never played but it looks like a lot of fun)." Her replies were almost instantly flooded with messages from some of the top players in the industry, resulting in a plan to play with a group comprised of herself and Omar, plus Pokimane, Hasanbi, Dr. Lupo, and more.
If you're unfamiliar, Among Us is a hugely-popular strategical deducation computer game, where players are assigned a role: imposter or crewmate. Imposters are embedded in a group of crewmates with the goal of elminating them one by one - without getting caught. The players can come together to discuss who they think is safe and who's a threat. Guess correctly, and you can win. Guess wrong, and you put your whole crew at risk to lose.
Ocasio-Cortez was playing a much deeper, more important game than what we saw onscreen. She brought in over 430,000 concurrent views on her own, and her efforts were magnified by the team of streamers she worked with, resulting in a reported 700,000 concurrent views. Her Twitch video alone has gained over 5 million views in less than 24 hours. For reference, that's approximately the same amount of people who watched The Bachelorette season premiere last week - and Ocasio-Cortez wasn't on cable TV.
The New York representative is often lauded as being more in-touch with young Americans than longtime politicians, and moves like this certainly help underline that point. She met a massive, captive audience where their interests are. She gave them essential resources to help create a voting plan and directed them to IWillVote.com. She spoke their language, and quite possibly, made the prospect of casting a ballot a little less intimidating. That's a long-game strategy that's more clever, more empowering, and more necessary than any sh*t an imposter could pull.
Voter turnout is an issue every American should care about. Ocasio-Cortez's step into the gaming world is a reminder that there is so much potential out there for reducing fear and sowing helpful information, even as suppression runs rampant. If she can find this unpaved territory, I certainly feel more emboldened and motivated to step outside my comfort zone - and the next time Ocasio-Cortez starts a Twitch stream, you can guarantee this non-gamer will be tuning in.
mercredi 21 octobre 2020
40+ Adorable and Totally Purr-fect Gifts For Cat-Lovers
Know any proud cat people or are you one yourself? This year, treat them (or yourself) to the perfect feline-themed presents. To make searching easier, we scoured the internet and found everything from slippers that heat up to shower curtains and even bedside lamps. Keep scrolling to shop the ultimate cat-lovers gift guide. Meow!
- Additional reporting by Tara Block
mardi 20 octobre 2020
A GOP Senator's Deliberate Mispronounciation of Kamala Harris's Name Is All Too Familiar For POC Like Me
On Oct. 16, at a Trump rally in Georgia, Sen. David Perdue purposely mispronounced and mocked Sen. Kamala Harris's name as he introduced the president. "Ka-MAL-a, Ka-MAL-a or Kamala, Kamala, Ka-mala, -mala, -mala, I don't know, whatever," he said, eliciting laughter from the crowd. The Republican senator's intentional mispronunciation of Harris's name, which is straight from Trump's own playbook, is not only extremely rude, but also simply racist.
For people of color and immigrants with ethnic-sounding names, this infuriating incident is all too familiar. Perdue's attempt at "othering" and poking fun at Harris - who is Indian and Black - for her Hindu name is offensive. Knowing she has been his colleague in the Senate for almost four years shows that it was also deliberate. A clip of Perdue's comment sparked an important conversation on Twitter and the hashtag #MyNameIs started trending, inspiring POC to express pride for the meanings behind their own names and share similar painful stories.
My name is Yerin. It's pronounced Yeh-rin - like Erin with a "Y" as I tell people - and it was chosen by my late grandfather. In Korean, "Ye" means polite and respectful, while "Rin" is defined as bright, in both senses of the word. While I now feel so lucky to have a beautiful name that holds such meaning, I admittedly struggled for years to take pride in both my Korean heritage and ethnically Korean name.
I vividly remember crying to my dad after countless first days of school, distressed by teachers who had mispronounced my name, though not purposely, but who were more upsettingly unbothered to learn how to properly do so. As a kid, I vowed to give my future children explicitly white-sounding names, so they wouldn't have to deal with yet another barrier to be seen as an American. I even went as far as brainstorming white-sounding names that I could adopt once I went to college, a common practice for many POC and immigrants in an effort to assimilate into America.
I'm acutely aware of the visible discomfort people might feel when faced with pronouncing my name or the assumptions they might make about my identity.
Luckily, my dad discouraged me from doing such a thing, and as an adult, I've grown to become proud of my Korean heritage, and proud to identify as both Korean and American. But even so, I'm acutely aware of the visible discomfort people might feel when faced with pronouncing my name or the assumptions they might make about my identity. While some might view these thoughts as an overreaction, there's in fact research that demonstrates the impact of an ethnic-sounding name. According to a 2017 study from Harvard Business School, Black and Asian applicants who "whitened" their résumés to remove any references to their race had better success scoring interviews.
Because of these common occurrences and people like Perdue, I still sometimes find myself feeling embarrassed or troublesome whenever I'm waiting to be called on at the doctor's office, interviewing for a job, and even meeting new people in social settings. I often have to be reminded that I'm not responsible for others' inherent racism. What made Perdue's comment worse was that, when met with criticism, a spokeswoman for his campaign, Casey Black, explained that the senator "simply mispronounced Senator Harris' name, and he didn't mean anything by it." This gaslighting, which suggests that POC are the ones at fault for being insulted, is also a frequent experience we are all too familiar with.
I refuse to allow my name to be associated with such negativity and discomfort, and refuse to let people like Perdue take away my identity. Harris certainly deserves the respect of having her name pronounced correctly, and so do I. Our names are our identities, and no one can diminish them.
vendredi 16 octobre 2020
40 Halloween Zoom Backgrounds That'll Allow You to Get Festive From Home
If you've got it, haunt it! It goes without saying that this year's Halloween won't call for as many events as year's past. But you know what? It's freakin' 2020, and at this stage in the game, we're pros at going virtual. Whether that means you're Zooming a BFF while watching your favorite Halloween flick, attending an online costume party with your boo crew, or sharing a spooky video call with family, we're all doing our best to make this year's celebration as fun and safe as possible. To get in the Halloween spirit, we've gathered 40 Zoom backgrounds that are eerie AF. From spooky night skies to costume parties to decorative homes and more, there's a backdrop for every occasion. And the silver lining to celebrating online? No real decor (or party cleanup) is needed! See our favorite free Halloween Zoom backgrounds ahead, and follow these steps on how to swap your Zoom background for something spooky.
Related: Everything You Need to Put Together the Ultimate Halloween Boo Kit
The Bachelorette Couples: Where Are They Now?
While Clare Crawley has just kicked off her season of The Bachelorette, the latest star to complete the reality dating show, Hannah Brown, is adjusting to single life after her a brief engagement. But she isn't the only star of The Bachelorette with big life changes on the horizon. Several former Bachelorettes have celebrated milestones in recent years. The track record for successful couples on the spinoff is quite high compared to The Bachelor's less-than-stellar numbers, but where are the Bachelorettes and their picks now? We've got the scoop.
- Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes
Related: Does Clare Crawley Quit The Bachelorette to Be With Dale Moss? Here Are the Facts
mercredi 14 octobre 2020
Yep, Apple Is Releasing a New iPhone 12, but Don't Throw Out Your Power Adapter Just Yet
Hold onto your AirPods, because Apple is releasing a new iPhone 12 in four different styles, and it's missing a few of our favorite accessories. The lineup includes an iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and an iPhone 12 Pro Max; all models will boast 5G and new features that make each phone more durable, more powerful, and more environmentally friendly.
Each model includes a new Ceramic Shield front cover, which is tougher than any smartphone glass and protects your screen from cracking or getting damaged. And, as someone who's dropped their phone on the floor too many times to count, I'm highly intrigued. For iPhone Pro and Pro Max users, the phones will also come in four stainless steel finishes, including graphite, silver, gold, and pacific blue.
So What Are These New Features, Exactly?
All four phones will also be compatible with MagSafe magnetic chargers and will be programmed with A14 Bionic, a smartphone chip that increases the phone's speed and performance by up to 50 percent, allowing for higher-quality photography, console-quality gaming, and a longer battery life. After adding on so many cool new features, it's no surprise Apple is also taking away a few of our favorite accessories with the new release. As part of its mission to reduce carbon emissions and achieve a net zero climate impact by 2030, the company is removing the power adapter (or block charger) and EarPods from iPhone packaging. So, if you don't happen to have a pair of earphones or an adapter on hand, you'll have to buy them separately.
But what's the real catch? The starting price for the iPhone 12 Mini is $699, followed by the iPhone 12 at $799, the iPhone 12 Pro at $999, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max at $1,099. So, unless you've been saving up, testing out the new iPhone 12 for yourself could put a considerable dent in your bank account. Personally, the superdurable screen cover still has me kind of tempted to trade in my old iPhone X. The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini will be available for preorder beginning Friday, Oct. 16, and available for purchase on Friday, Oct. 23, while the iPhone Pro and iPhone Pro Max will be available for preorder beginning Friday, Nov. 6, and available for purchase on Nov. 13.
Before you decide on a phone for yourself, take a sneak peek at each model in the iPhone 12 lineup and find out more about their new features.
mercredi 30 septembre 2020
Everything You Need to Know About the Voting Age - and the Movement to Lower It
As the presidential election continues to build, it's hard to miss the political surveys, ads, and campaign promises that seem to turn the whole entire world into one big splash of red, white, and blue. Gen Z is especially oversaturated with political information, from conversations with their friends and families to more unconventional sources like TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram. But despite establishing themselves as political forces - by emptying out rallies, starting global movements, and even becoming political icons themselves - the younger members of this generation are still denied one of the most powerful mechanisms of change: a vote.
It's not uncommon for people under the age of 18 to be written off as unprepared for a responsibility like voting, but members of Gen Z have shown that they have a voice and they want to use it. The question then becomes: are we willing to let them? To help you land on an answer, POPSUGAR talked to experts, activists, and passionate young people across the country to further unpack the significance of the voting age and the movement to lower it (or not).
The Debate About Voting Age Has a Long History
The current voting age of 18 was established by the 26th Amendment, which passed in 1971 during the Vietnam War, Brandon Klugman, the Vote16USA campaign manager at Generation Citizen, explained to POPSUGAR. Previously, the voting age had been 21 in the majority of states, but Klugman explained that the movement to lower it really picked up after the draft. "Proposals to change the voting age from 21 to 18 first emerged in the 1940s, and gained steam in the context of the Vietnam War as college students led organizing efforts to lower the voting age," he said. They'd use the the slogan, "Old enough to fight, old enough to vote." Evidently, people in support of lowering the voting age were mainly concerned that the same young people being drafted to serve the country would not be able to vote for the politicians making big decisions about war.
While 18 remains the most standard voting age as of today, there are certain states that allow their residents to vote before they've officially turned 18. States that allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries as long as they will turn 18 by Election Day include Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming. However, states like Alaska, Kansas, North Dakota, and Washington also have laws that allow 17-year-old Democrats to participate in their caucus, but do not allow Republicans to participate in their caucus. If the rules seem a little complicated, it's because they are, but you can find out more about the specific voting laws in your state here.
What's the Greatest Argument For Lowering the Voting Age?
Many of the same arguments applied before the passing of the 26th Amendment are still relevant to the modern fight to lower the voting age, according to Katie Eder, an activist from Wisconsin and the executive director of Future Coalition. "In 2020, while we're not drafting young people to war, we're putting the lives of young people at risk in so many ways," she explains. "From gun violence to climate change to healthcare, politicians are making decisions that drastically impact the lives and futures of young people in this country."
The idea that young people should have a voice - and can even lead the way on issues directly affecting their lives - isn't revolutionary. "It's young people, historically, who have propelled the change our society has necessitated in every generation, whether that be when we go back to Little Rock 9, or [when] we look at gun violence and the Parkland students," Emanuelle Sippy, a 17-year-old youth activist from Kentucky and community manager for the Future Coalition, told POPSUGAR. "It's not radical to think that young people need to have a say and our opinions need to be counted." This is the kind of progressive reform Sippy pushes for in her own hometown, and regardless of operating in a more conservative state like Kentucky, she's found that red and blue party lines aren't everything. The most important thing is empowering young people to speak out on the topics that impact them.
Jake Fenner, a recent graduate from Syracuse University in New York, supports lowering the voting age because he believes young people should be able to participate, especially at the local level. "When you're 16, you're likely going to be at home for at least two more years," he says. "You're directly affected by whatever decisions your local leaders make." Spencer Browne, a college senior from Tucson, AZ, echoed that sentiment. "Anyone who pays taxes, drives, [or is] expected to behave as an adult in society, should be treated like one by our political system," he told POPSUGAR. However, he added a caveat that he's not sure we have the societal or education structures in place to support a lowered voting age yet.
On a larger scale, Adolph Brown, PhD, a clinical psychologist and social justice advocate, said that if 16-year-olds are able to vote for laws and lawmakers themselves, they will also be more likely to follow these laws and grow up feeling as though their voices are valued. Klugman, of Vote16USA, added that lowering the voting age to 16 could eventually lead to increased voter turnout. "Voting is a habit and 16 is a better time than 18 to establish that habit and become a lifelong voter," he said. "This will make our democracy more representative and more healthy."
But, Are Young People Ready For That Responsibility?
A majority of voters seem to think they're not. In a 2019 Hill-HarrisX survey, 75 percent of registered voters opposed having 17-year-olds participate in elections. An even greater portion - 84 percent - opposed allowing 16-year-olds to vote. Of course, as with many issues affecting young people, those under 18 weren't given a voice in this poll - and it's worth noting that the younger participants supported the lowering of the voting age in much greater numbers than older ones.
The most common argument against lowering the voting age is that those under 18 might be more easily influenced by those around them. As Rody Conway, the chairman of the Syracuse University College Republicans, succinctly explained, "Most [16-year-olds] would probably just vote for whoever their parents are voting for." Younger people hear opinions from their parents, friends, teachers, or the media, and aren't as well-versed in sorting through different viewpoints to make up their own mind. "Voting should require a stake in the system, I don't trust that, on the whole, young people will have enough maturity or life experience," Conway explained to POPSUGAR. Jay, a college student whose last name has been redacted for privacy, agreed. "First, I think [the voting age] should be a state issue," Jay said to POPSUGAR. "However, it's important that, as a society, we take precautions to make sure that highly impressionable groups won't be influenced to vote a certain way."
Lowering the voting age would also create legal inconsistencies. "You'd now have these situations where, if you lower the age of voting to 16, are we also going to lower the age to be tried as an adult to 16? I'm not sure that's wise," Jamie Miller, the former executive director of the Republican Party of Florida, told POPSUGAR. "I believe we should make all things 'adult' one age, because just gradually letting people become adults is kind of silly when you look at it through the eyes of the law. It's inconsistent."
The Bottom Line?
Voting is one of the most powerful tools to create change. "There's a great Southern phrase that I was raised on that says 'No one robs an empty store,'" Cory Alpert, executive director of Secure the Ballot and former regional chief of staff for Pete Buttigieg, told POPSUGAR. "Voting rights in general would not be under assault - and I mean that in its broadest sense for age, race, [or] any of the restrictive laws - if voting was not the cornerstone of our democracy."
So it stands to reason that the fight to keep the voting age at 18 is an indication of just how powerful an under-18 voting bloc would be. "Young people's voices are diminished by intentional efforts to suppress young voters and politicians' unwillingness to give them something to vote for," Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, cochair of the Poor People's Campaign and author of We Are Called to Be a Movement, told POPSUGAR. "If young people want to know how important their vote is, they should just look at how hard some people are working to suppress it."
But no matter what side of the debate you're on, the fervor of discussion indicates that it's a debate worth having. And one thing is clear from the conversation: young people of the current voting age need to utilize their power in both local and federal elections.
To check if you're registered to vote, head to USA.gov. Register today, participate in the conversation, and let your voice be heard.
vendredi 25 septembre 2020
64 Hot Couples Halloween Costume Ideas That Are Sinfully Sexy
Halloween is notorious for bringing out the sexy in all of us, so why not let your significant other join in on the action? We've rounded up some of the most romantic (and maybe even a little raunchy) couples costumes out there. From sexy classics like mermaids and sailors to pop culture pairs like Danny and Sandy, you really can't go wrong with the options here. Get creative with your partner in crime this year, and add some sex appeal to your celebrations with these outfit ideas. They'll make this sinful holiday even more tempting.
- Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes and Lauren Harano
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