We live in an era of stark political division, but there’s at least one aspect of politics many can agree on: a maximum age limit for the elected president. A strong majority of Americans – 73% – support the idea of having an age limit to presidency, according to a CBS poll in Aug. of 2022.

The idea behind having an age limit to presidency in the United States is to ensure that the president is physically and mentally capable of handling the demanding nature of the job, so they are able to effectively represent the interests of all the citizens of America. Older leaders may not have the physical or mental stamina to effectively carry out the duties of the presidency, especially in times of crisis. 

It is just a scientific fact that when we age, our cognitive abilities begin to deteriorate, which impacts the sharpness of our minds. Aging impairs decision-making, which is problematic for a president because their job includes making split-second decisions that will have significant effects. On a daily basis, the president must make critical descisions that will have a significant impact on the national scale.

Many other occupations have a mandatory retirement age. For example, the Federal Aviation Administration mandates that commercial airline pilots must retire by the age of 65. The demanding job of a pilot demands that all pilots are cognitively sharp, which demands superior vision, excellent hearing, and a quick reaction time. This mandation is to ensure that pilots are in the sharpest state of mind in order to effectively fulfill their duties.

If other jobs have an age limit to ensure safety and success, why shouldn’t the job of president have one too?

After all, shouldn’t the President of the U.S.A, in arguably one of the most powerful leadership positions in the entire world, be in the sharpest state of mind?

Even former president Jimmy Carter, who started his presidential term at the age of 52, affirms the need for an age limit to presidency in the United States. In an interview at the Carter Center in Atlanta, he discussed his hopes for an age limit for presidency, admitting that he himself could not have handled the position of president at 80 years old. 

The Constitution of the United States of America states that there is a minimum age requirement of 35 years in order to be a president, which could be attributed to the fact that the average life expectancy at the time the Constitution was written was in the mid-50’s. Times have changed, and now Americans can expect to live way beyond that. 

If there is a minimum age limit to presidency, why shouldn’t there be a maximum age limit?

Introducing an age limit to presidency would help ensure that new voices and fresh perspectives are represented in the presidency. This could help promote innovation and progress in government.

Older candidates may be less in touch with the concerns of younger generations, making it difficult for them to make decisions that reflect the needs and priorities of all Americans. Generational disconnect will lead to creating a gap between the understandings of American citizens and the Presidents. Younger generations will help bridge this gap, often having more modern perspectives and priorities than older generations. A president who is significantly older may have difficulty understanding and relating to the concerns of younger voters, which could make it difficult for them to effectively govern. 

Older individuals may have difficulty relating to younger generations and understanding the issues that are important to them. In a rapidly changing world, it is important that the president is able to connect with and understand the concerns of all Americans, regardless of age. Introducing an age limit to presidency would help ensure that new voices and fresh perspectives are represented in the presidency. This will help promote innovation and progress in the American government system overall. 

A maximum age limit to presidency is important because it guarantees that the person occcupying the highest office in the country has the necessary level of physical and mental fitness to effectively carry out their duties. While combining the appropriate levels of experience and judgment, a maximum age limit to presidency strikes a balance between these aspects to ensure that the president is qualified to serve effectively.