Blair teacher interviewed in The Washington Post

U.S. History teacher George Vlasits was interviewed in the Style section of The Washington Post on Nov. 2 in "When parents, kids are polls apart" by Rebecca Kahlenberg.

The article discusses the importance of youth voting and how teens can get involved. According to The Post, pundits predicted that in the 2004 election, young voters would turn out in high numbers. Vlasits said to The Post that because students have "a very limited view of history and politics," it is hard for them to shape a perspective on current events. He said, however, that reading op-eds and listening to lectures about democracy does not lead to increased political involvement.

Instead, Vlasits told Silver Chips Online that to get children politically involved, parents should first "set an example." He emphasized the difference between parents who simply talk about politics and those who actually act on those beliefs. "Kids will follow," Vlasits said.

The second most important part of political awareness is staying informed, according to Vlasits. He said to Silver Chips Online that parents who take their children to the polls are especially key, even though Maryland will not allow those over 12 years old into the voting booths. The Post stated that in a survey conducted in 2002 by the Council for Excellence in Government, 18- to 25-year-olds are two times as likely to vote if their parents brought them to the polls.

Vlasits said to Silver Chips Online that youth should be involved in politics because "what happens now will determine their future," and they should have a voice in that future. "I think it's important for young people to get involved because they are more likely to stay involved," Vlasits said. He added that teenagers offer new ideas to the political process. "If progressive views are going to be represented, it's [up to] the youth," Vlasits said.