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March 30, 2010
Judy Wu
Teenagers have more rights than most people think. Teenagers have the right to an education, free speech and a safe environment. They also have the right to a legal counsel and trial by jury. Authorized figures can order teens to answer questions but teens don’t have to answer.
Teenagers are also entitled to go through a juvenile court system instead of an adult court system. They become a “delinquent child” and have to go through rehabilitation, which means parents may have to pay a fine or the teenager might have to go to juvenile detention.
There are projects, like the Algebra Project, that fight for different student rights. The Algebra Project is a national, nonprofit organization fighting for every child’s right to a quality public school education. Teachers and parents are working to achieve this goal by using better educational research and building an alliance to create changes.
“All students should have the right to a good education. They should be exposed to the same opportunities despite their social status,” government teacher Elizabeth DeWitt said.
Teenagers are guaranteed most of the rights in the U.S. Constitution, but certain rights such as their freedom of speech are limited.
In Morse v. Frederick (2007), the Supreme Court ruled it was legal for the principal to punish a student advocating an illegal drug off-campus.
Supreme Court case New Jersey v. TLO (1985) decreased students fourth ammendment rights and legalized search and seizure of students’ belongings as long as there is reasonable suspicion.
Safford Unified School District v. Redding (2009) ruled that the school crossed the line of reasonable suspicion when they made 13-year-old Savana Redding strip down to her underwear for giving her friend four Advil pills.
There are limitations on teenage rights, but teenagers can and should stand up for their rights.
“Students trust the government more than their instincts on their rights. Students should be able to challenge the government when their rights are being violated. Challenging the government makes America the free and just country it is,” DeWitt said.
