Should freedom of speech pertain to children?

Question

As minors their rights are restricted for their own protection. Is a school really a place for protest speech if they should have freedom of speech?

Japan is very strict when it comes to education and tends to turn out graduates that are ready for college. Might Americas failing in education be do to an over abundance of liberty in the schools?

Answer 1

Absolutely not.

Children have to adhere to stricter guidelines and rules than adults. When the teacher says be quiet, they do not have the option of continuing to disrupt class or speak their piece. They may approach their parent or another adult with their concerns at another time.

This isn't designed to wield unbridled power over children. It is designed with their best interests in mind. Today's childish parents want so badly to be their child's best friend. Children have other children as friends. They need guidance, security, love, and discipline.

Answer 2

Yes they should. The constitution was written for all citizens not just those over the age of 18.

Our education system isn't failing due to student liberties, it's failing for many reasons. Some of which are:

Lack of funding
Not enough teachers
Not enough parents taking an interest in their childrens education and future.

Answer 3

Freedom of Speech is highly overrated.

Any protest speech by children is influenced by some adult. Mostly leftist but of course the religious nuts do their fair share. That should be a punishable offense and I don't believe that the school system is the appropriate place for civil dissent. I also don't believe the school should suppress freedom of expression like restricting clothing choices and then allow civil dissent. All Americans regardless of age, race, gender and creed are endowed with their Constitutional rights but there are restricted areas and the classroom should definately be one, it is intended to be a place of learning not of brainwashing and with political rhetoric it is always some adult influencing the beliefs of the children, they do not have enough life experience to honestly understand the politcal dynamic.

Answer 4

Are you suggesting we punish (legally) children (those <18 yrs of age) for saying things?

Children who protest are being "used" by their parents or teachers. That is the real crime, people who use their influence in schools to push agendas. I don't remember giving that much of a s*** about much of anything until I was in high school.

Answer 5

they should have whichever freedoms parents demand on their behalf. good parents are the only advocates a child needs.

obviously they need to respect their teachers, but if the teacher is out of line, parents need to step up. children should keep quiet and do what they're told to do by experienced and caring adults.

Answer 6

I'd say that's what parents are for. Right on, Chi.

ADDED: I personally know of a case where the parent went in and assaulted the principal. And was found guilty of it. I think this is an issue of respect, all the way around.

Answer 7

at the high school level i think yes but middle and elementary need to still be monitered the bong hits for jesus is just all blown out of proportion and some people make the biggest fuss about nothing

Answer 8

Their free speech can infringe on other student's rights, their learning for example.

It's restricted for adults too, try going in a Giuliani rally and ask him about what he did about the health care of the workers who rescued people during 9/11, you will get removed in handcuffs.

Answer 9

Children are developing sexually younger, this is fact throughout the first world. So what is 18 in India could be 16 in America or Europe. And school is definately a place for protest, politics or not.

Answer 10

Heck yeah, why not? They need to be able to develope mentally to know how to use their freedoms and that they can use their freedoms. Children should be allowed to express themselves instead of being silenced and turned into tin soldiers.