The Effect of the U.S. Government on Students

Many students wonder why they should take Government class. They think that they are not affected by the actions of our government, or that learning about it will not help them at all in their life. Or worse, they think that they have no power to influence the government because of their age. Fortunately, none of these things are true. The United States Government is a big part of the lives of all American citizens, and that includes those who are under eighteen years old.

Our government has as much of an effect on students as it does on anybody else. Laws created, enforced, and interpreted by the different branches of government control what we can and cannot do. Public services are taken advantage of by adults and minors alike. Besides these obvious aspects, there are many others that more directly affect the everyday lives of students. Budgetary allotments to education determine the quality of the schools they attend every weekday. The education received by students ultimately alters what they will eventually go on to do in later life. Decisions made by the courts can change the way educational facilities are run and the rights of students while at school, such as Engel v. Vitale, Tinker v. Des Moines, and Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier. These landmark cases established precedents and had a large impact on the daily lives of current and future students. Laws commanding what is allowed, as well as required, to be taught in schools is another way in which the government shapes the opinions of today's youth. Learning certain things (rather than others) can change the way a student views the world. For example, being taught the Theory of Evolution rather than Creationism or abstinence rather than sexual education can mold a...

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...an, they can bring attention to causes that are important to students everywhere.

Though perhaps not as powerful as adults when it comes to the federal government, students are equally important. They are affected just as much by the activities of their superiors as are any other minority in America. Government class can be beneficial in educating minors about how their government relates to them and how they can influence their authority. By speaking out and making themselves heard, minors can be just as effective in their efforts to modify the government to fit their needs. In a democracy, the most important voice is the voice of the people. Age should not be a defining factor in how significant a group or an individual's views are. If America cannot cater to the will of a relatively large percentage of its citizens, how can it call itself a true democracy?