Do school uniforms violate the 1st ammendment?

[ilikeverin]

No...

[ilikeverin]

No.  The constitution deals with citizens.  Whether we define as citizens Free White Males Over 21 Who Own Land, or whether we define it slightly more broadly, we still only apply it to citizens.  If we want to define citizens so broadly that it includes children, then we can, but as far as I can tell, given that you have to be 21 to buy a handgun or practice medicine, 18 to vote or join the army, it is clear that we do not give the same rights and responsibilities to children as we do to adults.  (This assumes school uniforms refers to school uniforms for minors, not for college students.)

Child-hater

Do you support the UN Treaty on the Rights of a Child or whatever? >P

[ilikeverin]

No.  The constitution deals with citizens.  Whether we define as citizens Free White Males Over 21 Who Own Land, or whether we define it slightly more broadly, we still only apply it to citizens.  If we want to define citizens so broadly that it includes children, then we can, but as far as I can tell, given that you have to be 21 to buy a handgun or practice medicine, 18 to vote or join the army, it is clear that we do not give the same rights and responsibilities to children as we do to adults.  (This assumes school uniforms refers to school uniforms for minors, not for college students.)

Child-hater

Do you support the UN Treaty on the Rights of a Child or whatever? >P

The question did not ask whether I hated children.  Only whether I thought abridging their rights was unconstitutional.  I do not believe that our society believes that children should be subject to the same rights and responsibilities as adults.  Our laws are very clear on this.

For the record, I do not like to be told what to wear either.  I'm not sure what that treaty says, as I haven't read it.  But I do know if my kid sh**ts all over your lawn, I ought to bear some responsibility for that.  So if the treaty is the sort of document that relinquishes of their responsibilities, then no I don't support it.  I suspect that ultimately that's where this sort of thing is headed.  A big part of the reason I'm a republican is because I lament that we live in a culture that increasingly disregards personal responsibility.  The victim mentality has worked its way into our mindset and we live in a sue-happy society.  Mamma made me eat brocolli, so I think I'll sue the bitch.  No thanks.  Not something I want to support.

Note the

NOTE THE