Freedom of Speech

Freedom of speech

The definition of freedom of speech that the first amendment refers to is the ability to speak openly without fear of government restraint. Freedom of speech beyond a political point of view allows the public to perceive the truth from diverse sources, rather than it being from the same few biased sources. It allows minority opinions to be heard and shared with the majority. It allows us to understand and empathize with the minority struggles that many in the majority don’t have to even consider.That being said, we should not have increased limits on our freedom of speech.

While all the above is true, there is a place and a time where students should be kept away from words and ideas that may be disturbing. Younger kids should not be exposed to many ideas that are considerably disturbing such as killing for religion or lack of. Children growing up in households with these ideas with be desensitized to them in the future and won’t be able to process them with empathy. There are also many ideas that are controversially disturbing, it just depends on your point of view. Abortion is a great example. There are many people that believe it is just as bad, if not worse, than murdering someone on this due of the street. There are also many people that believe that consent to sex is not consent to pregnancy. It is also ok to freely express your opinion on whatever side you are on. If there was restriction on freedom of speech, we wouldn't properly hear both side of the argument. It is because we have freedom of speech that there still is not “right” answer to this. We are able to argue good and accurate points from both side of the playing field.