ANSWERS: 7
  • Pretty thought provoking question. Yes they should, however many of them don't even realize this right according to a poll of 544 high schools across the nation http://www.kidspeakonline.org/knightstudy.htm . I love the quote 'In a free country we punish men for crimes they commit but never for the opinions they have.' --Harry Truman. Unfortunately thought crimes are becoming prosecutable in America and this could be another factor regarding why high school students are confused about the first amendment. The link also addresses other factors like lack of funding to teach Civics (I cannot believe this)because educators who form policy have other agendas that are more important to them than civics. Where do I draw the line? Personally, I teach my kids that if they speak and write well, they are more likely to be listened to and respected for what they are saying. I think it is important to accept that others may disagree and that is there right. When students or anyone express views that are violent towards a group or an individual I believe that is their right and they haven't committed a crime, but that doesnt negate our responsibility to determine if this person is a threat to the health and safety of others and to intervene in some way that does not violate their rights.
  • Children do not have a 'right' to free speech.
  • well in the US you arent even considered human until youre 18 really so students dont have the rights humans do in the us i think they shold have rights like humans do but thats just me...
  • I think (and correct me if I'm wrong) that you mean spefically in the classroom setting. In this setting, I believe a good rule of thumb is that this right should be restricted once it begins to disrupt the learning of fellow students. They are there to learn; discusion can take place in the classroom (I loved many of the classes I took that were more open to complete participation) but other classes are just not appropriate places to express your views on certian issues (such as the right to bear arms in a math class).
  • RETAIN their rights?!?! They never HAD any rights to begin with -- they are MINORS. You must un-ask the question.
  • Minors still get the right to free speech. Nowhere does it specifically say that "minors are not allowed to exhibit free speech or their opinion." I dont think you can draw a clear line. When I was in school, I used to say what I thought, whether it offended the teacher or not, because I knew I had the right of opinion. I wouldnt be punished for voicing what I thought about something, and if anyone tried, I'd let them know that I had a right to my opinion. Kids are people too, remember.
  • I think they are in school to learn and be educated and at times should learn to use their thinking and cognitive abilities but that doesn't mean they should be allowed to say or write whatever they want. They are minors and are in a lower position than the adults that run the school. Learning when and how to voice your criticisms and ideas is only one part of education.

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