Question:
Should a teacher parent or guardian be permitted within their freedom of expression to convey discriminatory thoughts to their children against a certain age, race, religion or belief?
Under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms it states that: "Every person have the fundamental freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication" but initially the Charter states that "the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society." By inflicting racist thoughts onto younger generations, it is leaving the "reasonable limits" of freedoms as you are causing harm to others. When parents vote for a certain political party and force these beliefs onto a child it is very likely that they will vote for the same party their parents did when they become of age. A similar effect can happen with racial beliefs as they are often influenced through family members or influential people. It should not be allowed to influence personal thoughts or beliefs on to any child whether it be about an age, race, religion or belief.
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It's quite typical of Canada to introduce such a strong clause but then to put in safe guards of "reasonable limits". Though I don't always agree with this mentality in the case I do. I believe that everyone should be entitled to their own opinion as long as that opinion won't case harm to anyone else. Spreading hate speech that is grounded in no logic whatsoever is just unacceptable. Having said this students and kids should be told both sides of any story so they can make up their own mind about their own beliefs. They shouldn't be pushed one way or the other they should just be told the facts.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely a case where the "reasonable limits" clause is appropriate. In addition to this, there is a clause in the Criminal Code of Canada that makes advocating genocide or incite hatred against any 'identifiable group' an indictable charge. I believe that children should be allowed to be exposed to the views of their parents but should also be presented a variety of perspectives on the issue. Blatantly ignoring a race or saying that they are "evil" without an explanation is not justifiable since children look up to figures of authority such as their parents and teachers.
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