Freedom of speech in the university

    Over the years there has been an increase in the youth voters’ turnout during elections but this has been changing as the year’s progress. With the current trend, the expected number of youths that will vote in the election to come in the future will be low. This has been attributed to so many factors but the main factor that is limiting the youths from engaging in speech is that they are not adequately supported by the institutions of learning where they do their learning. This paper, therefore, will present and discuss on the repression of free speech by the universities and youths institutions of learning.

    Following the concerns that have been raised by the element of political correctness, the universities have enacted stern speech codes with an aim of well intent for their students. However, it is quite evident that these codes violate the constitutional assurance of the freedom of speech. The more the colleges implement the strict speech codes with an intention of enforcing good manners, the more they limit the aspect of free expression hence inhibiting the open discussions, debates, and protest of sensitive social and controversial issues (Lukianoff 1).

    The constitution and the law of the state restrict these institutions from limiting the non-disruptive free speech and expression. This applies only to the public institutions and thus leaving the private institutions with the freedom to establish and enforce their own rules thus resulting in repression of speech among the youth (Lukianoff 1).

    In conclusion, civility is a nice thing in the society and among the youth. However, limiting the freedom of speech among the youth is not the only solution to bring about political correctness. It is thus essential to understand that, in efforts to teach the youths to navigate democracy, the youths will be able to engage freely with other citizens and this will force them to think before even speaking out what is in their minds and thus good manners will be enhanced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

    Lukianoff, Greg. “Feigning Free Speech on Campus.” New York Times Online. The New York Times Company, 24 Oct. 2012.  Web. 26 May 2015.