Freedom Versus Safety Essay, Research Paper

More Freedom or Safety — What Would You Choose?

Where does one draw the line between individual freedom and the safety of the

community? Recent tragedies in high schools around the country show a great increase in

teen violence. The worst part it that these acts of violence aren?t just fights and shootings;

they are planned mass murders in our high schools. No more poignant example brings

into focus the question of individual freedom and safety for the school community. Does

individual freedom mean that students can bring whatever they want, including weapons,

to school? Does safety of the school community mean that students must be searched or

go through metal detectors every time they enter a school building? How do these

questions apply to schools like Bishop Eustace where these extreme forms of violence

have never occurred?

If I could choose to either have more individual freedom and less safety or the

individual freedom and safety that I presently have, I would want to continue living the

way that I currently live. I do think that individual freedom in the United States means

the freedom to pursuit and attain one?s individual potential and that the possession of

firearms or weapons by a student in a school is in no way in keeping with that idea.

Additionally, many students probably are incapable of properly using a gun and that makes

it even more dangerous for them to have one. Even though Bishop Eustace does not have

metal detectors nor are the students searched when they enter a building, I think that if this

is what would be necessary to ensure the safety of the community, it should be done with

no arguments. If a student does not want a teacher to see what they are bringing to

school, then it most likely doesn?t belong on school property.

I feel that I already have a lot of individual freedom and I am satisfied with my

limits and restrictions as to what I can and cannot do within the school community.

Everyday I feel safe at Bishop Eustace. There are rules that we must follow, and even

though some dislike these rules, it is these rules which maintain order and safety in the

school. If we were to have more freedom, people could start to do things that could hurt

others, create immense problems and endanger the safety of the school community.

However, with the freedom that we already have, we can do many things and still feel

safe.

I feel that the rules during the school day are necessary. I am content with these

rules and I don?t feel that they are too demanding or restricting. For example, faculty

have the right to inspect our lockers and bags that we bring to school. Knowing this, it is

less likely for a student to bring a weapon to school. If teachers did not do this, I would

feel less safe and possibly worry about what could happen. The tragedy that occurred at

Columbine High School last year could happen anywhere, but I feel that Bishop Eustace is

well monitored at the present time. With Father Biermann, Mr. Casolaro, Mrs. Penza, and

other faculty members walking around the buildings and campus, I feel safe. If students

had more freedom to walk around the buildings as classes were in progress, I would not

feel so secure. Generally, I feel extremely safe in the Bishop Eustace high school

community and still enjoy much individual freedom. Why take the risk of someone getting

hurt just to have greater individual freedoms?