Should schools ban web research on Gay Marriage? Even if it's for a report?

Question

I tried to do research on Gay Marriage for a speech in my class, and the network kiked me off for it. Do you think this is wrong as well?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, I feel that public schools are there to indoctrinate, not to educate. Sure, I am sure there are teachers in these schools who really want to educate and open students' minds, but there is so much red tape going on in the name of "protecting the children" but I just see it as a way to reinforce the indoctrination.

With that in mind, please enjoy this following essay:

"Public schools will never provide a proper course in logic, because parent controlled school boards will never allow it. Schools exist to indoctrinate, not educate. Educated students would become critical thinkers, and critical thinkers question parents in ways parents cannot answer.

Barbara Bush once said that a child should read a book every day. But she'd never, ever say that they should question what they read every day. Critical thinkers question government, indoctrinated people repeat what Rush Limbaugh says. Our government prefers the latter.

If you teach an adolescent how to form a syllogism, you give them a powerful weapon to alter the status quo in ways that you may not like. If you instead give them a veneer of 'critical thinking' that is really nothing more than the same indoctrination that left you an ignoramus, then things remain safe. Realize that the single most significant change in development for an adolescent is their ability to consider things abstractly: to see what is, and compare it to what could be. Give such a person the tools of logic, and you have a nightmare for any parent: an idealist with valid arguments.

Learning logic is a danger to religious institutions, its a danger to the present power structure, its a danger to parents - its a danger to any power structure that relies on dogma, tradition and/or rhetoric. Teach a child how to memorize and recite, and you've got another duckspeaker. Teach him logic, and you've got a ball of fire in your midst.

No school will ever provide a real class in logic... if they teach the course at all, they will beat the life out of it, and turn it into another mindless math class like algebra, where kids do little else but memorize and then whine "when will I ever use this?"without every being told that learning how to think abstractly is the only means towards living in a free society.

If you want to learn logic, you'll have to learn it on your own, because learning logic is a subversive act in our culture."
-todangst

Answer 2

I don't care what kids do for research reports. In fact, I suspect that gay marriage is as good as any for public speaking. However, do research! Don't use the Internet. Schools (particularly public schools) should be computer free spaces of learning. Go to the library. Find original sources. Use notecards. Conduct interviews. Don't get your information pre-digested.

Answer 3

Yes, I think that's quite wrong. Schools should allow their students access to those subjects in the media on which they are currently studying. It's up to the teachers and the librarians to see that the server filters are kept clear enough for the classes to do the work assigned to them. Otherwise what's the use of even having the subject -- unless that's what they're trying to prove -- which could be another topic for your discussion. Good luck, Dear One. Banned information has *always* been a problem in schools.

Answer 4

Yes, it is wrong. This is an important issue today. You should complain to the teacher, principal, and school board. Have you contacted the local newspaper about this or written a letter to the editor?

In the mean time, continue your work, research at home or at the public library.

Answer 5

I think it's wrong of the network to kick you off. To block education and information is wrong in any capacity. This country was built on our right to free speech, even when the subject matter is not so popular. I think there should be some kind of recourse to this action.

Answer 6

It's probably more an issue with the censoring engine your school uses. I know it's incorrect to assume so, but net nannying programs block anything relating to sexuality, including use of the phrases gay/lesbian/etc simple because there's a chance searching for said terms would bring up pornographic material.

Have a word with your IT guys and see what they say.

Answer 7

They also monitor your web use-age in your dorms too. I think that it is wrong. You are an adult. If you need it for research or it you choose to look at it for your own reasons, you should be able to do so. There's a difference between spam blockers and blocking what you can look at. This is wrong and a violation of your rights.

Answer 8

It is very wrong. They are supposed to ban inappropriate sites. Sites on gay marriage don't rank inappropriate unless someone put inappropriate content on it. It isn't inappropriate it is just an openminded way of thinking that offends the close-minded so they block it.

Answer 9

Of course this is wrong... we do live in a place where we're free to speak our minds. I would think that research for a controversial ideal wouldn't be a problem in a place like America. Then again, I would think that human beings trying to be equal in a land of equality wouldn't be a problem either in today's society.

Answer 10

Absolutely WRONG.
They ask you to do research on the topic but they won't allow internet access for it? that doesnt make sense.
Unless, of course, you have a liberal (kind hearted) teacher and s/he wants to open the students' mind from a (possibly, correct me if im wrong) outmoded and outdated school philosophy of what should and shouldnt be taught.
in that case, kudos to your teacher for bravery!
And to you as well!
I believe in this day and age, information is the key to everything. The more you have, the better of a position you will be in to see and translate any phenomena for yourself.