Why Demonstrating Is Good for Kids

You should be more afraid to cross the street, or ride in a car, or eat in a restaurant, because you have greater odds of being killed doing those things than you have going to class.

Wonderful! Politicians should be aware that many of these young people will be able to vote at the next election.

Don't think young kids should learn to 'demonstrate' at such an early age. That's not right. Let the kids be kids. No need to grow up sooner than necessary. There is no benefit for them to go out and protest, it accomplishes nothing. Let them enjoy their childhood, they'll be adults soon enough.

Did they protest against the FBI which failed to stop this shooter...no...and the FBI didn't even notify local authorities? Did they protest against the failed local police, who were called to encounter this young shooter on 30-70 occasions, according to varying reports? And note that notification would have put the shooter on the "no buy" list for firearms. No, they joined the centrally located leftist organizations which funded their buses and encouraged anti-Second Amendment behavior. A few students "got it," and stood against the led sheep. Protesting is fine. Activism is fine. I am in support of students who become politically involved. May some of them reflect on how they were led in this anti-gun campaign, with the NRA and responsible gun owners as the "target." But skipping class should get you a zero for that day.

And the children shall lead.... I am encouraged by these young people who recognize the seriousness of the issue they are engaging. I have confidence that Generation Z with the help of Generation X and Millennials will fix the messes that White Baby Boomers are leaving us.

Somehow I don't see these faces as "kids". They're aware, sadly, of what is really going on in our debilitated world. They may be the antidote we need to come to some kind of moral sense. Maybe this thrust of awareness will remind us to take care of what we already have.

An entire NYT article based on one academic paper. We have to do better.

Nonsense. These kids are being led by activist parents and teachers who want to program their minds to become future leftist socialists. More damage being done to these kids. Even elementary school kids were pushed into this activism. Look at the videos - most kids laughing having a good time and others looking for a camera. The girl Maya in your photo appears emotionally unbalanced desperate for her 15 minutes of fame.

I think that Demonstrating is a good thing because it lets people know what the people this is effecting feel and gives Kids a voice. It also lets the kids be more up to date in whats happening in the world.

Demonstrating for a worthy cause is good for everyone1

I am ashamed of your patronizing headline. they are not doing it for themselves.

I wonder if the demonstrators grasp the irony that they were guarded by police with guns, while being praised by Democrat politicians who have armed security details within a capitol building protected by armed military?

To my grandkids and everybody’s grandkids - if you remember us for anything - let it be for urging you to have your voices be heard, today and every day. Never stop.

First, let's drop the "kids" thing. Unless completely sheltered from the world, high school and college students aren't kids. They are young adults. In the early eighties a group of students in a tiny rural high school walked out in protest of the firing of a gay teacher. The teacher didn't get his job back, and the students got in trouble, especially when a reporter showed up. But it "shaped" us; made us realize that we were suddenly responsible, and that we had a voice. But it wasn't a bunch of kids. They were adults ahead of their time...

Many believe the school-walkouts were planned and implemented by students. Not so. The nation-wide March 14 school walkouts were organized by Women's March, a social-justice group. Women's March has an impossibly broad scope (see womensmarch.com): ending violence against women and people of color, reproductive rights for women (not men?), LGBTQIA rights, workers' rights, civil rights, disability rights, immigrant rights, and environmental justice. The WM website says one senior staff member used to work for Every Town for Gun Safety, a Michael Bloomberg-supported gun control group; another worked for the Hillary Clinton Presidential campaign. One board member is a chef specializing in candy jewelry. Nothing wrong with this, just trying to figure out who is behind the organization and what its real agenda is. Women's March does not disclose this on its website, but it is a 501(c)(4) organization, which means donations to it are not tax-deductible (see whyy.org/articles/op-ed-womens-march-organization-doesnt-like-to-be-ques... ). Further, a 501(c)(4) organization may engage in unlimited lobbying and promotion of candidates and causes as long as these are consistent with the purpose(s) of the organization. It is therefore likely that WM is a liberal/left political organization that supports the Democratic agenda and candidates. WM does not disclose its finances nor name its donors. More transparency and disclosure would be welcome.

There cannot be a better cause for kids to demonstrate than gun violence. I hope there will be more demonstrations by kids in the coming months until something is done to control gun violence at schools. Public safety is a government responsibility. Adults in this country mainly republicans and our president have lost their mind, they have no solutions other than arming the teachers and other stupid ideas. I have not seen any other country on this planet where school children have to be afraid of getting killed by guns, not even in third world countries. What is more important, your kids lives or the Second Amendment? Every day, I am afraid of my children coming back from their schools safely, ridiculous.

I agree that thinking of activism as a resume building activity is pretty bizarre. These kids bring a serious breath of fresh air to the gun issue and other political concerns. Just seeing how they react in person to the practiced nonsensical talking points of politicians "Guns dont kill, people kill", "this tax cut will enrich the middle class", is pretty inspiring. China is all agog about a journalist rolling her eyes at the kind of puffery that passes for journalism there. The high school kids have already brought back some honesty to our political debate.

No doubt it is good for teen agers, but in reality it means nothing. Action at a distance, works for rich parents raising their children and for gravity, but outside of that nothing really works other than the person who has their finger on the trigger, the person closest to the action, in this case, Congress, and they will do nothing. They are more afraid than the children.

I hope that when the students have sent their message to the folks outside the school, they will go back in and follow the lead of some of the students around the country who are trying to change the atmosphere of bullying, exclusivity, and cliques in their schools.

How many of them would march if it was scheduled on the weekend? They should learn how to clean their bedrooms and make their beds before they march and tell America how to change its laws.

These kids will have little success getting Republican legislators to change their minds. They will have a great deal more success registering to vote and sending these politicians into early retirements.

College students have driven American political movements, for instance the anti-Vietnam War and anti-apartheid protests. But I can't think of a single precedent for a national mass movement driven by high school students. This is exceptional, and it only happens because these high school students are exceptional. Parkland has some remarkably clear-thinking and articulate student leaders, and across the country they have inspired not just their peers, but also their elders, to join them. In the age of Trump, with all of its demagoguery, authoritarianism and fact-defying rhetoric, it is hugely comforting to see the next generation of Americans, intelligent and informed, committing themselves to real and meaningful progress just as they are reaching voting age. In an age of DeVos, it is hugely comforting to see that public education is apparently thriving, at least in one American town, Parkland, which evidently has a truly outstanding public high school to produce such eloquent, industrious and capable student activists. politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com

I agree. I started going to the March for Life in 1974 as a 14-year old and have been doing it consistently since, although I never thought I would have to wait this long to see that retrograde attack on fundamental civil rights to be consigned to the dustbin of history.

These "kids" (15 16 17) are going to be voting in 2020....red or blue they're the wave that will was the trash out of Washington.

There's something pathetic about an adult writing that demonstrating is good for kids. Sure it's good for kids. And lo! the kids are doing it. For all of us. We might want to thank them instead of speaking in this patronizing way. They lost their friends, they saw their friends die, they understood they might be killed, and now they've rolled up their sleeves. We should thank them, not pat them on the heads.

These kids are great! And they hopefully will be voters in the near future.

Let's not reduce civic engagement and a genuine sense of purpose and drive for social justice and change to yet another resume building activity that helps kids get into the right collleges and earn more. What these kids are doing by taking on the NRA and the gun lobby is far more vital and important.

It would be much more meaningful if students demonstrated outside of school time - either after school or weekends. Some students have earnest intentions but many others just want out of school. And just what are they protesting... gun control? They should go home and ask their parents to get involved then, research the brands that have ties to the NRA, and go after legislators who take NRA money. Unfortunately, I think their naivete shines through because their anger and unmet demands is the true lesson... politicians are most moved by money and the NRA and weapons manufacturing have more money than students.

This article is absurd. We don't encourage activism so our individual kids have better academic and financial outcomes. We encourage activism because IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. Our kids know this already. Our kids are already out there making the connections between #marchforourlives #blacklivesmatter #metoo. They are a powerful force and we should do whatever we can to support them because supporting them is supporting meaningful change, not ideal capitalist outcomes.

These students are our future lawmakers. They are future constituents. Pay attention, their activism is an indicator that the NRA has an expiration date.

with a few other starbucks-bound locals i gawk, cellphone in hand, at students filing out of the local high school. so orderly, i say; reverent, says the woman next to me. likely we are both of a generation mostly too self-occupied to do anything as one. are they supposed to see their shadows? jokes someone else. we laugh in shared cynicism. still, what if this new crop of americans were to be the greatest of all?

Health benefit of demonstrating? Perhaps, if these teenagers are successful where Congress hasn't, perhaps their survival chances will improve in world without assault rifles. That is what I call benefit.

I’m with these protesting students 100%. They provide a small glimmer of hope for our future. I hope the DNC is taking note. But protests, no matter how large and impressive, accomplish little on their own. Students also need some difficult civic lessons. Difficult because the American political system, including it’s relatively moribund Constitution, needs a strong challenge. Given sufficient information, it’s hard to see how a majority of students would not shake their heads at the Electoral College mechanism or ask “really”” of the 2nd Amendment. Frankly, I can’t wait for the boomers to die off, and I’m one of them. We have bequeathed these students a proper mess in all the important aspects of American life: healthcare, education, infrastructure, energy and environmental policies, and economic security. I’m hoping they will abandon their parents’ habits of buying low-mileage oversized cars, eschew homes with more square footage than they need to use or heat. Signs are promising. We need to encourage them as strongly as possible to enter politics, starting at the local level and working their way up.

I think one of the most important lessons for young people is the realization that you can get a lot done just by asking. Many times, it's just an oversight, or you're the first to notice it could be done better. Or, you'll be informed that they've tried the way you're proposing, and it's not going to work for a reason you hadn't thought of. It also beats being bitter and angry, but never even considering doing something about it (which I've definitely seen in a lot of people). I'm a little confused about Dr. Ballard's statement that the goal should be getting news coverage and raising awareness. I feel that many "activists" are simply doing it for attention, and aren't putting in any work to make positive changes. Getting attention for your cause is an important first step, but to me it seems like there should also be a tangible and effective goal that the attention, news coverage, and awareness is in service of.

People are not social justice activists in order to improve their personal outcomes in life. Activism is often a sacrifice of personal comfort and safety in the quest for a better reality for everyone. The whole idea of a study like this is in opposition to the goals of activism.

The surest way of winning the war against the NRA would be if High School and College students across America were to boycott school attendance indefinitely, until they received iron-clad assurances from Congress which met their major demands--including banning the ownership of assault rifles. Does this sound extreme and impossible to achieve? Not to many student organizations in other countries, including in Europe. Would it be worth it? Many thousands of lives in America are at stake.

I was born at the tail end of the baby boom. My parents didn't want me involved in anything. And, from what I saw, neither did anyone else's parents with children my age. They'd seen enough with the earlier baby boomers and wanted us to go to school, graduate, and be quiet. There were other reasons we were quiet too. We'd seen what had been done to our older siblings or friend's older siblings when they spoke up. We watched as various levels of government began treating demonstrators, whistle blowers, and others more like criminals than people trying to improve things in society for all. We learned, in short, that being silent was better. We also came of age just as the economy was starting to fail. Reagan was in office, greed was considered an overriding good, salaries stagnated, and the cost of living outstripped what we were paid. Employers were given more rights to fire people and, with fewer jobs, we had to work harder to keep our jobs and search longer if we lost our jobs. To be honest, I think that when we came of age the country was tired of us. I hope the same thing does not happen to these teens. No one, parent, child, or anyone else, should have to worry about going to school or to work or to the store and possibly being shot by a person with a gun and a grudge. And if these teens can force our politicians to listen to them and do something good they will have experienced something we didn't: words and actions can make a difference.

Those that advocate for themselves and policies that will make the world better get far better results than those that deal with bad policy by distracting themselves with entertainment and shopping. And getting any results at all can make you feel more powerful, as long as you don't define success only as being everything you want right away, a bar that it's set far higher for activists than politicians, by those that oppose activists and someone by activists themselves. Organizing with smart, driven, organized, activists who share your values is a powerful thing that makes you feel like you are not alone and can also make real change. Democracy depends on the People being politically active. We all have a responsibility to engage. Activists are at greater risk for risky behavior because, they are inherently risk takers (which is supposedly a good thing when it comes to billionaires) and if you are on the left, police regularly attack left activists on the flimsiest excuses, doing bodily harm and arresting people for exercising their first amendment rights. Meanwhile heavily armed right activists are lightly policed. (To see the difference, about a month before the big Clarksville fascist vs anti-fascist protests last year, there was a black lives matter march. Google the video to see the massive police presence. Than watch videos of right wing protesters in the same city walking around with assault rifles and hardly a police officer to be found.)

School districts that plan to take disciplinary action against students who walk out this morning are missing an opportunity to really connect with the kids on a level they deem relevant to their lives. There's no better civics lesson than participating in an urgent and issue and the "teaching moments" will be abundant. Civics in action sure beats a multiple choice quiz.

What are Millenials constantly (and inaccurately) trashed for? Being apathetic, self-absorbed, trivial, spend-thrift-avacado-toast-eaters. And what, now, is generation Z being criticized for by some of their elders? Speaking up, showing up, getting out, being heard. The paradox is no paradox at all -- the older generation ALWAYS criticizes the younger generation, for daring to be themselves and not emulating the generation before. Speaking up, demonstrating, being engaged in their society is always good for teens and young adults. They have energy and fresh perspective to bring -- and they are always the drivers of change. You go, kids.

It might be good for the students who demonstrate and who are politically engaged, but I KNOW it is good for me. We messed up this world, and we need the young people to fix it. Keep it up, young people. Where you lead, I will follow.

I agree that protesting is good for kids. However, let's not ignore the socioeconomic factors. When I was young we spent a lot of time protesting apartheid and agitating for divestiture from South Africa. We mostly protested for our universities to divest their endowments. The underlying prerequisite was that you were in university in order to protest your university. Also, road tripping to DC or NYC assumed you had some resources. I had a car an money for gas, and so did a lot of the kids I protested with. Of course we had better outcomes, we had socioeconomic resources. For some (not all) protesting is a luxury. Affordable, but a luxury none the less. That being said, civic engagement is valuable. But let's remember it also has to be funded.

Yet another study that shows a correlation rather than causation. Students who are impoverished do not have the luxury of protesting and being supported. They also face severe obstacles to academic achievement - the key factor in living healthier, wealthier lives. It also fails to take into account that we are reaching Khmer Rouge levels of children dictating policies just as the children spotted the intellectuals and capitalists for the Khmer Rouge to murder.

The late great legal philosopher, Ronald Dworkin, in a talk he gave before his death, talked about the rise of the Tea Party and the need to promote political discourse in high school. It is truly deplorable that this discourse is now beginning to take shape and take root following yet another mass-murder. However, these kids are absolutely on the right path by staying the course and intensifying their efforts to have their voices heard and ensure the voting adults in their lives make a radical change in the way they vote. Soon enough, they too will vote and we will start seeing the kinds of change we were unable, too complacent, too corrupt, ill-educated, ill-informed, and too weak to effect. This is what light at the end of the long dark tunnel we're in looks like. --- Ronald Dworkin: Mistakes, The Tea Party & Secondary Education https://www.rimaregas.com/2015/07/08/ronald-dworkin-on-mistakes-the-tea-...

In the matter of school security, the security of the school you or your children attend should be the primary object of attention. That’s not to ignore the other levels at which violence must be addressed, but the community level is also the one where change can be most successfully effected. Talk to the teachers, staff, administrators, board of education, local police, politicians, leaders about what they are doing to protect you.