I’m sitting in front of my television watching the first Presidential Debate of 2020, tears glazing my eyes, recalling my grandmother’s voice blaring through the telephone some ten years ago.

With cries of defeat, I heard her tell my mom that the insurance company she’d worked at for over 40 years had decided to “regretfully let her go” because she was “a little bit too past normal retirement age.” The company wanted to focus on younger workers looking to expand their future careers— and although my grandmother was one of their most diligent employees, they had a point. 

Regardless of issues with age discrimination, we all knew it was time for my grandmother to take more than just the weekends off. We wanted her to finally relax during her old age. And after a while of fussing and fighting, she finally agreed. 

I didn’t just reflect on this overheard conversation for memory’s sake or because I miss my grandma, but because as I watched Donald Trump and Joe Biden banter like two drunk uncles at a family barbeque during that debate, all I could think about was how seriously old and out of touch these two men are— largely because of the difference in their age to mine. 

If my grandma couldn’t keep up a job at an insurance company because she was “too old,” then why am I watching two men in their 70s run head-to-head to lead the United States? And I can’t help but wonder why you must be at least 35 years old to be President but there’s absolutely no definitive cap on that age requirement. 

I do not support ageism and I’m not challenging the ability of anyone, of any age, to do an adequate job so long as they are able. But representation in our government just isn’t as in touch with a massive part of the population—the younger generations whose lives have just begun.

I won’t knock all older politicians here either. In light of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death in September, I will mention that time well spent in a position of power can make incredible strides in terms of public policy and large scale change. However, I also feel it’s important to stress that she was literally working up until the day she died. 

When we look at age and how representatives have historically connected with the general public, one of the notable ‘loved-by-all’ Presidents was none other than 43-year-old John F. Kennedy— the youngest ever president, in stark comparison to Trump, the oldest. I’m not saying JFK’s policies were perfect because he was young and attractive, but I am saying that his age had largely to do with his general public likability. Ask yourself— why is it that Gen-Z listens to fiery, young politicians like AOC? It’s because we see something that just isn’t alive in older cis white men; something we can actually find solace in identifying with— youth.

21-year-old Sophomore Musical Theater Major Gabriella Avelino believes that age seems to be a roadblock for this sought-after, youth-inspired change. 

“We really have the potential to change so much, but we don’t really recognize it because the culture that surrounds politics is so aged,” Avelino says. She believes that American politics today generally seem “so distant from everyday life as a 21-year-old.”

“I hope more people recognize that the only way to survive is to think of the future in a more current way… But that’s just not gonna happen if everyone whose President is 80 years old,” Avelino explains.

When it comes down to it, the people at the top of our government system as it stands are not the people who are going to be living with any finalized decisions. So why do we not see a bigger conversation centered around the need for young perspectives in politics? Why are the most powerful people in our government also the oldest? 

So, here I sit, jaw opened wide after watching two old white men jab at each other for an hour and 30 minutes, and all I can think about is my grandma. We accepted her forced resignation with open arms because we knew that it was time for her to sail smoothly into old age. So, why can’t we as a nation recognize and change the widening age gaps between us and our representation within government? 

I’ll end by saying that I hope everyone voted. And until the next election, the better half of those old drunk uncles will have to suffice.