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The United States Supreme Court held in 1943 that school pupils may decline to participate in the pledge of allegiance.[1] Most but perhaps not all state govern

The United States Supreme Court held in 1943 that school pupils may decline to participate in the pledge of allegiance.[1] Most but perhaps not all state governments in the United States make saying the pledge a routine part of the school day (at least during primary schooling), but education regulation in the United States is mostly by state law, so perhaps there are some exceptions to this general pattern. Of course homeschoolers like my family make their own decision in such matters. [1] http://www.rethinkingschools.org/special_reports/sept11/16_02/supr162.shtml http://www.rethinkingschools.org/special_reports/sept11/16_0... http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=319&invol=624 http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vo...

kefka 13y ago
Which is interesting, because I was sent home one day in elementary school because I refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance. They called my mom, and they had her come pick me up. 5th grade, in Columbus, Indiana. 1993
- tokenadult 13y ago
  Yes, many school officials behave lawlessly.
alan_cx 13y ago
Oh legally they may decline, but peer pressure and words like "patriot" or worse still "traitor" probably mean most who don't want to feel compelled to. IMHO, this sort of thing is as much brain washing as religious versions are.
- saraid216 13y ago
  In elementary school, I stood up, put my hand on my heart, and zoned out. I don't remember ever getting called out on that. Then I started making extemporaneous variations that followed the meter but inverted the meaning.
hackula1 13y ago
I had a feeling someone would bring this up. My main counter here is that there is a power dynamic at play here that makes it extremely unlikely that a child will be able to decline. Imagine a teacher saying to an 8 year old "Stand up, face the flag, put your hand over your heart, and say these words." To a child, this is not a suggestion, but a command, and few kids are going to stay seated and respond "Sorry teacher, but due to the 1943 Supreme Court decision, I have the right to decline participation and will now exercise that right."

kefka 13y ago

Which is interesting, because I was sent home one day in elementary school because I refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance. They called my mom, and they had her come pick me up. 5th grade, in Columbus, Indiana. 1993

tokenadult 13y ago
Yes, many school officials behave lawlessly.

alan_cx 13y ago

Oh legally they may decline, but peer pressure and words like "patriot" or worse still "traitor" probably mean most who don't want to feel compelled to. IMHO, this sort of thing is as much brain washing as religious versions are.

saraid216 13y ago
In elementary school, I stood up, put my hand on my heart, and zoned out. I don't remember ever getting called out on that. Then I started making extemporaneous variations that followed the meter but inverted the meaning.

hackula1 13y ago

I had a feeling someone would bring this up. My main counter here is that there is a power dynamic at play here that makes it extremely unlikely that a child will be able to decline. Imagine a teacher saying to an 8 year old "Stand up, face the flag, put your hand over your heart, and say these words." To a child, this is not a suggestion, but a command, and few kids are going to stay seated and respond "Sorry teacher, but due to the 1943 Supreme Court decision, I have the right to decline participation and will now exercise that right."