Not Just the Leaders of Tomorrow

 Not Just the Leaders of Tomorrow - By Patricia

“The youth are the leaders of tomorrow.”

This phrase appears everywhere, stitched into graduation speeches and motivational posts, meant to sound empowering. But in practice, it has become a convenient excuse to silence young voices. By framing youth as contributors only to the “future,” society disregards their opinions in the present, tagging them immature or unworthy of serious consideration. In law and politics, systems that actively shape our lives, this mindset is not only outdated but also highly dangerous. 

Young people should not be passive observers waiting for their turn. Decisions made today already shape our education, opportunities, and future. In the Philippines, for example, the No Child Left Behind Policy has encouraged “mass promotion” even when students lack basic literary skills. As a result, the country continues to lag in mathematics, science, and reading, according to the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). These are not just policy failures; they are also realities for students who had no voice in shaping them. 

Aside from that, mental health services further expose how youth are affected by political neglect. As of 2022, the Philippines had only 4,069 licensed guidance counselors serving millions of students far below the global standard of one counselor per 250 students. This gap underscores how inadequate funding and policy prioritization disproportionately harm young people, leaving students to bear the emotional consequences of institutional failure. 

Youth participation often exists only in form, not in substance. Structures such as youth councils and advocacy groups are usually treated as symbolic rather than substantive avenues for influence. In some Philippine barangays, Sanggunian Kabataan initiatives are reduced primarily to organizing sports leagues. While promoting sports has value, this narrow focus limits the broader potential of youth leadership in science, arts, governance, and community development. 

Young people have always played a crucial role in political change. From movements that challenged dictatorships such as the EDSA revolution to campaigns for education reform and climate justice, youth participation has repeatedly shaped history. These contributions demonstrate that young people are not merely future leaders; they are active agents of change in the present.

A common argument against youth involvement is age. Critics argue that young people lack experience or practical understanding. However, the United Nations recognizes youth as vital contributors to community development and governance. Experience is not measured solely by years lived, but by exposure, engagement, and the ability to respond to real social issues. If age alone defined competence, many unqualified leaders would never hold office.


With access to the internet, many young people today are more informed and globally aware than previous generations. This access allows youth to engage critically with law, governance, and politics, shaping informed opinions and civic awareness. While access alone does not guarantee understanding, it provides opportunities for political literacy that are essential in a democratic society.


Including youth in political decision-making strengthens democracy rather than weakens it. A study by Wagner et al. (2012) found that lowering the voting age in Austria did not reduce the quality of democratic decisions, challenging assumptions about youth incompetence. Young people bring long-term perspectives that are often absent in short-term political thinking. Ignoring these perspectives prioritizes immediate gain over sustainable governance.


Encouraging youth participation does not mean placing unrealistic expectations upon them. It means recognizing young people as legitimate stakeholders whose voices deserve respect and empowerment. The youth are not only the future of law and politics, but we are also part of their present. And without participation, accountability, and inclusion, democracy cannot truly exist.



Sources

 Argosino, F. (2025). DepEd chief bares severe shortage of guidance counselors in PH. INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2103993/fwd-deped-chief-on-severe-shortage-of-guidance-counselors-in-ph

Chi, C. (2023, December 9). Philippines still lags behind world in math, reading and science — PISA 2022. Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/12/06/2316732/philippines-still-lags-behind-world-math-reading-and-science-pisa-2022

De Guzman, C. (2023, November 25). Is liga the only thing that matters in SK? - OUTCROP. OUTCROP - MAPAGPALAYANG KAISIPAN SA MALAYANG PAHAYAGAN. https://upboutcrop.org/2023/10/30/is-liga-the-only-thing-that-matters-in-sk/?i=1

Gatcho, A. R. G., Manuel, J. P. G., & Hajan, B. H. (2024). No child left behind, literacy challenges ahead: a focus on the Philippines. Frontiers in Education, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1349307

Meaningful youth participation. (n.d.). Youth Office. https://www.un.org/youthaffairs/en/meaningful-youth-participation

Wagner, M., Johann, D., & Kritzinger, S. (2012). Voting at 16: Turnout and the quality of vote choice. Electoral Studies, 31(2), 372–383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2012.01.007

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