How come I am denied my rights at school?

Question

At school, I do not have freedom of speech, religion, ect. WHY?

Answer 1

It's funny to read over some of these answers. The only concept you need to grasp is that ALL civil rights of all American citizens are tempered against other rights. Throughout America's legal history, the Supreme Court has had to determine how certain rights will take precedence over others. Recall that you can't yell "fire" in a crowded theater because of the potential danger it will cause others. You can't incite others to riot because of the dangers it will cause others. These were freedom of speech questions before the Court at one time.

Generally, the most protected form of speech is political, so if you want to stand on the street corner and let others know your political views, you will likely be able to do so with the law on your side. (You still need to comply with any applicable local laws.) Taking the potential disruption into a school is similar to trying to exercise "rights" in a prison. Courts have determined the person/people in charge in these places have the power to keep their environment as free from problems as possible so that they can function effectively. Thus, your principal can say exposing your bare midriff or wearing a T shirt with a violent message on it is unsuitable for his/her environment and potentially infringing on the other students' ability to learn.

If you REALLY care about the message you want to defend in regard to the First Amendment, you can find myriad other acceptable avenues to express them.

Answer 2

In terms of religion if you want to start a bible club it should not be a problem. My school had a club in the morning that people could come and pray. As long as no one is forced to participate you can do that kind of things. If you want to say grace before meal, you can, but you can't make others say grace with you, so if you say grace quietly to yourself you can. In terms of religion at a public school you are more than welcome to do that kind of stuff you just can't do it where everyone has to participate. You can't get on the intercom and say a morning praryer.

As far as freedom of speech goes. Even as adults you can't always get freedom of speech. I got fired from a job because I wrote a blog entry on myspace complaining about how the managers ran it. Technically it was freedom of speech but according to them I broke a company policy. We can't always say what we want to feel like. You can't go around saying Principal Smith wears a rug. Technically it is freedom of speech but if he doesn't than you just commited slander.

As another person said yes we do have the right to bare arms but you can't bring a gun into a lot of places.

Answer 3

You're allowed to have all that stuff, but school is for learning and if you're always talking you can disrupt the flow of learning. You're allowed to have your religion. You can pray.

If you wanted to argue religion, or speak out against anything in a nonviolent way, I'm sure it's permissable in a social area of your school, where talking is aloud. A lot of this is done at colleges. In K-12 they don't have a lot of atmospheres dedicated for students to socialize and speak their minds, but schools aren't required to. I would take up my argument there. It might be proven that extending these platforms to students are highly beneficial, and in essence, like you've said "my rights".

Answer 4

well, the thing about freedom of speech and religion are this....

you can say and believe whatever you want, but while someone else is talking, you need to shut up. you can pray, you can believe in god, etc., you just cant make the school or anyone in it conform to your religious beliefs, the same way a hindu student cant make you pray to his god, or a muslim student cant tell you not to eat pork because its a sin.

you're at school to learn, and as such, you need to follow a code of conduct and they need to keep things that distract you from learning to a minimum. once you're out of school, you can do whatever the hell you want, but its gonna be the same thing at any job, there will be rules, and someday if you have kids, you're gonna do the same thing to them so that they dont grow up like animals. its one of those circular things. sorry, thats how it goes.

Answer 5

Freedoms do not give you to right to tread on anyone else. For example, calling your teacher a pig is not acceptable. Telling someone they will go to hell is they are not your religion is not acceptable. Schools have rules so that everyone has the opportunity to learn in a stress and fear free environment.

Answer 6

These rights cannot be denied by anyone in a democratic country, let alone in schools. Now, what is your situation? Do you exercise those rights within the parameters of the law? If not, you're inviting troubles and that may include denial of those rights within the school!

Answer 7

you are hardly denied your rights in school, you just have to know when it's appropiate .... In highschool you have clubs, which some are religious, you have the debate team which you have your freedom of speech.. you can't just stand up on your desk during class and start blurting out whatever you want.. that's disruptive and other students need to learn

Answer 8

Those are your rights, not your privledges. You have the right to bare arms as well, but you do not have the privledge to carry a gun into a courthouse. Your rights just allow you to run your life as you see fit, but it doesn't allow you to act however you want wherever you are. Protocols must still be followed because you are at the mercy of the rules of whatever establishment you enter, especially when it comes to govenment building or other establishments that clearly lay out the rules for use of their services.

Answer 9

If you're a Jew or a Christian, of course you will restricted in what you can say and wear and so forth, That's the new Politically Correct World Order. Get used to it. However, if you're a Muslim, I would certainly file an official complaint with my local mullah. He'll threaten them with a fatwa. The PC establishment will back down REAL quick!

Answer 10

You may wish to go into more detail on exactly how you feel these rights are being denied. Otherwise how can we answer?