Over the years, I have been writing about misconceptions regarding the schooling process. The purpose of these posts is to explain why I disagree with various comments that I have heard people make about schooling. These are meant as personal thoughts rather than conclusive proof, and I will admit that I'm not always the best at explaining my thoughts. Regardless, I have decided that I should be willing to share these posts when I encounter someone online who makes an argument that I have already discussed.
Should freedom of speech exist in government-controlled schools? I have heard arguments both ways, but I am definitely taking a side. Forcing children against their will into an environment that deprives them of freedom of speech is immoral and unconstitutional. Freedom of speech should exist in that environment.
Does freedom of speech exist in government-controlled schools? That's a little more complicated to explain. I believe there is a Supreme Court ruling that backs freedom of speech in that environment as long as it is not disruptive.
There are a couple problems with that ruling. For starters, schools are set up in a manner in which there aren't many opportunities to speak that would not be considered disruptive. Even worse, there are ways to deprive children of freedom of speech outside legal maneuvers.
Teachers promote a culture of fear. They threaten entire futures of children who do not fall in line. Even if freedom of speech is legally protected, speech that teachers don't like is actively suppressed. What's worse, spending a few days in jail or having your entire future destroyed?
I have seen some teachers defend freedom of speech in that environment, but only if they support the speech in question. Not once have I seen a teacher defend the freedom of speech for students who are critical of them. Not once have I seen a teacher defend the freedom of speech for students who say anything they don't like. Is it really freedom of speech if only people whose views match those of government workers are allowed to say anything?
In recent years, supporters of government-controlled schools have actually tried to use freedom of speech as an argument against school choice. Government-controlled schools have proven to be hostile to freedom of speech. Are we really supposed to oppose allowing children to leave an environment that deprives children of freedom of speech just because deprivation of freedom of speech is possible elsewhere? As far as I'm concerned, freedom of speech is one of many reasons that we desperately need choice.
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