Freedom of Speech for Children

The First Amendment gives the citizens of the United States their most important rights: the right to freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of religion, and the freedom of assembly. Over time these rights have worked themselves into the everyday lives of United States citizens. However, there are still places where our First Amendment rights may be compromised. In the school system, finding a balance of respect and freedom of speech and press is as difficult as learning out to tightrope walk. One wrong step and you could be compromising the learning environment of the entire student body.

Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right. Whether or not on a college campus, people (especially college students) should have the right to speak freely. Everyone does have the right to speak freely, because it is one of the twenty-seven amendments. Colleges all around the United States are now home to many restrictions on free speech. For example, the idea and use of “free speech zones” has made its way to colleges everywhere. A “free speech zone” is a sidewalk sized place where students are allowed to speak their minds freely on college campuses. I know what you’re thinking. This sounds ridiculous. Why are there specific places for people to speak their minds? Aren’t colleges suppose to be a place where students speak their minds and learn new things? Universities should not be able to put any restrictions on free speech.

In Des Moines, Iowa in 1968, three students arrived at their schools wearing black armbands symbolizing their thoughts on the United States being involved in the Vietnam War. The principal of each school quickly created a policy banning the armbands. This soon led to the suspension of the students from school. A lawsuit was filed on behalf of the students that eventually made its way all the way up to the Supreme Court. The fact that the schools were regulating the children’s freedom of speech is wrong and unconstitutional.

The right to freedom of speech as one of the fundamental human rights is enshrined in The Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is consisted of the freedom to speak, think and express oneself without censorship. Freedom of speech constitutes the essential foundations of a democratic society and the basic conditions for its progress and for the development. One of most important functions of the right to freedom of speech is that decision-making at all levels is preceded by discussion and consideration of a representative range of views. It enables the public to participate in making decisions based on the free flow of information and ideas. A decision made after adequate consultation is likely to be a better one which less imperfectly reflects

Children are infamous for saying inappropriate things. In fact, every parent usually has multiple stories of unseemly comments their child has made that has caused them embarrassment. Normally, parents use these moments as opportunities to teach their child what kind of things are appropriate to say and what are not. In turn, as children grow up and become adolescents, they develop a better understanding of what they should and should not say to other people. However, adolescents are still children, and they will still need to be reminded from time to time of what is appropriate to say and what is not.

Many people come to the United States looking for freedom and liberty and where their essential rights are protected under the Constitution. However, freedom should not be taken for granted as for every rule there may be limits. The First Amendment of the United States’ Constitution states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances” (Corwin 48). In other words, the First Amendment granted freedom of religion, speech, press, peaceful assembly, and petition. The First Amendment is clear enough for anyone to comprehend and process easily; however, people sometimes misunderstand their rights by doing what their First Amendment right does not protect, especially when it comes to freedom of speech. Seven of the most important law cases in the United States’ history are what shaped the American’s society and allowed people to hopefully know and recognize their limits and restrictions when it comes to their speech whether it was a literal speech or a symbolic speech.

In my household and today’s society, it’s difficult to be “just a kid”. My parents expect much from me both in school and out. In return of my efforts, I expect my parents to accept me for who I am and the decisions I make. Since I am just a child, I shouldn’t expect this from my parents but I believe that the respect I give them should be returned. My maturity level should not affect the level of respect I am shown.

“No!” The child screamed. This one word comes out of the mouthes of young children all the time in contemporary society and it is directed towards their parents. When parents ask their children to do something, this is a common response. It is a usual response from children who think they have a right to challenge their parents’ authority. Children in the 1930s generally acted very differently towards their parents. A high degree of respect was expected from children by their elders. In modern society, this expected degree of respect has declined. Many theories exist to try to explain why the respect children give their parents is plummeting. This disrespect from children displays a great deterioration in civility in modern society. Since

Freedom of speech is more than just words, it is posters, petitions, rallies, protests, and more. This lets opinions be shared and spread to make a difference in the world. The problem is that in schools there is a limit on the amount of freedom of speech students can have. How are students supposed to feel like they have a voice when they are being told that they can only speak of certain topics? By what means could student be educated on their rights like the First Amendment if they cannot have full access to that right at all times? Students are brought together by freedom of speech, schools should not be stopping that. It is essential that freedom of speech in schools should not be limited because it gives students a voice, it educates them on their rights, and it brings students together.

Freedom - Power or right to act, speak, or think without hindrance or restraint, but isn’t it more? The framers of the Constitution promised the freedom of speech to all citizens of the U.S. through the first amendment. What is “America’s Gift to my Generation”? Well, it’s the freedom of speech, here are three reasons why. By allowing me to say what I believe, I can make “some” decisions and communicate them, and I’m able to think freely.

Secondly, as an adult myself, I would always want my children to show respect not just to me but also

In schools all over students’ may protest now and then against rules and regulations the school may have. However, sometimes the students’ may get shut down by staff and punished with detention or any other forms of punishment at schools. What if by shutting down the students’ protest, schools are actually violating students’ right to free speech? In schools, students’ posters are being censored to make schools look better, students’ are being kicked off of teams because they are kneeling during the anthem, and schools are violating the students’ rights. Unlimited expression of students’ should be allowed because it leaves a lasting impact by helping kids grow into adults, without it there is unjust censorship, and it's a right as told in the First Amendment and Constitution.

The First Amendment protects the freedom of expression and prohibits Congress from limiting rights to speak or not speak freely. In case 1, the NFL players are entitled to freedom of speech to show how they are feeling, but they can't sue. Although the team is entitled to freedom of speech, there is no state action taken. This prevents the football team from winning the case against the school. The private school will win because there is no state action. In the third case, the players are entitled to freedom of speech. There was state action taken due to the public school being funded by the state. There is silent speech involved but it isn't prohibited. There is no compelling interest to limit these rights so the football team is the one

The issue of free speech has plagued school systems ever since public schools have been operating in the United States. Students and administration have gone head-to-head on many occasions as to whether or not the administration can censor or discipline students with issues regarding the topic. Teachers and students have varying degrees of free speech as delegated through court rulings throughout the history of the United States of America. Even today, commonly students push the boundaries of free speech, challenging schools around the country. What rights do students and teachers have? How have rights and liberties evolved over the years? These questions plague many citizens and the answers are too often overlooked, yet a middle ground must

As children we are taught to always show respect to those around us. We are taught to never say no to an adult, to listen and to use manners to everyone around us. But as we grow older we develop a sense of rebelliousness, and an urge to question every single moral and value we have learned.