[ARTICLE] What Matters Most To You?

Have your say and win a Voices of America Scholarship!

May 01, 2023

At BattlePACs, we strongly believe that civil debate and an open mind are an important part of amplifying your voice. That’s why we’re hosting a series of community discussions over the next five weeks on the most controversial issues currently gripping our nation.

By taking part on Instagram you have a chance to win a BattlePACs scholarship to further your college studies.

To participate just do the following:

Read this blog to learn more about the context of the issues; then
Head on over to Instagram, like BattlePACs and swipe through this post to share your perspective on which one of these matters most to you, and why.

battlepacsofficial

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The most liked comment will win points towards a scholarship. (See full details and rules at end of this article.)

Explore The Issues

Here are the five main issues we are focused on this week:

1. Child Labor Laws

Debate: Should kids under 16 be able to work 6-hour days?

What happened: In a move meant to combat a labor shortage, children under age 16 can now work six hours a day in Iowa and Arkansas. Earlier this year President Biden vowed to crack down on child labor.

For: Proponents argue that child labor laws restrict children from gaining valuable work experience and learning important life skills,

Against: Opponents contend that children are vulnerable to exploitation and should focus on their education.

Sources:

2. Undocumented Migrants in Florida

Debate: Are DeSantis' Florida policies tightening up on undocumented migrants going too far?

What happened: Governor DeSantis Unveils Sweeping Immigration Enforcement that includes:

An expanded program to airlifting migrants to Democrat governed states
Removing in-state university tuition rates for undocumented migrants
A requirement to deny jobs, ID cards and driver’s licenses to the undocumented,
A requirement on hospitals to report to the state a patient’s immigration status.
Felony criminalization and lengthy prison sentences for anyone who “harbors or transports” an undocumented alien knowingly.

For: Proponents argue that stricter policies are necessary to protect national security and prevent illegal immigration, while

Against: Opponents argue that such policies are inhumane and violate the human rights of migrants.

Sources:

3. Abortion Cut-off date

Debate: Is the new abortion cut-off date in Florida of 6-weeks reasonable?

What Happened:

Republican lawmakers in the Florida senate advanced legislation which would dramatically restrict the state’s current ban on abortion from 15 weeks of pregnancy to six weeks. This law is now among the nation's strictest. Instead of banning abortion it has effectively limited abortion since most people do not even find out they are pregnant before 6-weeks.

For: Proponents argue that a six-week cutoff is necessary to protect the rights of the unborn, while

Against: Opponents contend that it restricts women's reproductive freedom and disproportionately affects marginalized communities.

Sources:

4. Gender in Sports

Debate: Should transgender athletes be allowed to compete in women's sports on a national level?

What Happened: The Biden administration proposed a new federal rule change that would allow for schools to enforce some restrictions on transgender student athletes, but opposes policies that “categorically” ban those students from participating on sports teams consistent with their self-identified gender.

For: Proponents argue that transgender athletes should be allowed to compete in sports according to their gender identity to promote inclusivity and equality,

Against: Opponents contend that it gives them an unfair advantage and violates the rights of cisgender athletes.

Sources:

5. Gun Control

Debate: Are stricter gun control measures needed to prevent ongoing mass shootings?

What Happened: Two years ago Biden announced a slate of executive gun control actions, claiming it represented a 'public health crisis.' After the recent Nashville school shooting, Biden said there are no more unilateral gun control orders available to him by executive order. In recent months, after a streak of mass shootings, a number of states including Washington, Colorado, and Pennsylvania have all passed gun control laws at the state level.

Proponents argue that:

Stricter gun control measures are necessary to prevent mass shootings and reduce gun violence
Stricter laws and regulations on firearms can help reduce gun violence, including mass shootings and homicides.
They also argue that the Second Amendment was intended for militias and that gun ownership should be regulated to ensure public safety.

Opponents argue:

That gun control violates the Second Amendment and restricts law-abiding citizens from owning firearms.
That gun ownership deters crime; and
That criminals will still find ways to obtain guns even if they are banned

Sources:

Rules

Before you comment, please swipe to the end to read the rules. You must be following us on Instagram-@battlepacsofficial and / or TikTok - @battlepacs and must have submitted her application on our website at scholarship.battlepacs.com to be eligible to win.

The most liked comment will win points towards a scholarship. Check back on Wednesday as the winner of ‘What Matters Most’ will be declared at 5 PM EST on Friday 5/5/23 and the winning comment will be shared in a post.

When commenting, we recommend you keep an open mind to the merits of the opposing viewpoints before forming your own.

If this were a debate, what do you think is the best argument that your opponent could make?

When reading comments, we recommend thinking ‘What fact would change my views on this topic?’

Note: Consider that you may have a blindspot or bias about any of these topics, and be prepared to be met with alternative views to your own

To participate just do the following:

Read this blog to learn more about the context of the issues; then
Head on over to Instagram, like BattlePACs, and swipe through this post to share your perspective on which one of these matters most to you, and why.

battlepacsofficial

A post shared by BattlePACs (@battlepacsofficial)