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I was recently asked if I could fill in for a judge at an international school project. I felt honored and couldn’t wait to see what the kids would come up with.
While reading today’s prompt, about what freedom means to me, I thought of some of their answers. Why?
Because at my age it’s no longer about my freedom, it’s now about the youth and that’s what we should focus on. The generations behind us. To leave the world a better place means to listen to them. They know what they want and what they hope for. Perhaps we, the older generation could listen more?
Daniel (12)
For me, freedom is when you’re not forced to do something, when you can make your own decisions, e.g., about what you do. However, there are rules you have to follow, and if you don’t follow them, you have to expect consequences. Freedom is something like being free, meaning living lovingly and stress-free with other people, animals, etc. One should ensure that everyone has enough freedom, free time, and a free choice about who they vote for, for example, as president.
By this, I mean that everyone has a different opinion.
Faruq (13)
Freedom does not mean being controlled by anyone.
Freedom means being able to speak freely, i.e., to express one’s opinion freely.
Freedom means that my life is my own.
Freedom means that one can belong to any religion and
that one is not forced to do anything.
Freedom means being free to love or like what one wants.
Freedom is being able to create one’s lifestyle, alone or with one’s parents.
Freedom is not being discriminated against because of one’s opinion,
but rather perceiving it without being accepted, no matter how embarrassing it may be.
Freedom is not being punished or ridiculed because of one’s opinion or belief.
Freedom is being able to do whatever one wants, as long as it doesn’t break the law.
Freedom is being able to freely shape one’s behavior, but not that this behavior is bad or even punishable.
Freedom is being able to express one’s opinion without offending anyone. Freedom is being able to criticize others’ opinions without offending anyone.
Freedom is not being excluded because of your opinion.
Eva, 12
For me, freedom means being able to live in peace, without fear or coercion, without being controlled. Freedom means being able to decide certain things for yourself. Freedom means being able to decide for yourself which religion you follow, even if your parents are Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, or non-believer. Everyone should be able to practice the faith they believe is right. Freedom means being able to play the instrument you want. Freedom means being able to choose your own hobbies. Freedom means being able to listen to the music you want, not just classical music because your parents think that’s great. Freedom means being able to vote for whoever you want in elections. Freedom means not being forced to wear a headscarf or to fast, or to get married at 11. Freedom means being able to have a boyfriend without your parents nagging you. Freedom is when you’re not bullied just because you’re, for example, gay or lesbian. Freedom is when others accept you for who you are. Freedom is when you live according to your own will. Freedom is when you can go somewhere on your own without your parents clinging to you. Freedom is when you wear what you want. Freedom is when I study what I want.
Freedom is a feeling of happiness that one longs for.
Those are some amazing kids. Very clear ideas about freedom, gives me some hope for the future of the world. I hope they lead civilization down the right path.
They seem to have so much wisdom, or perhaps they look at it the right way, before we, the adults in the room, mess them up?
I think you may be on to something there.
What incredibly mature kids to not only know but be able to enunciate what is in their hearts and minds in such a clear and educated way. I am trying to think back to being 13 – I had recently arrived in Australia as a post WWII migrant kid – I was considered pretty ‘bright’ at the time but am certain I would have been unable to think so comprehensibly. Thinking back, I don’t think I even knew what homosexuality was about, barely knew what sex was 🙂 ! An interesting post to show friends . . .
I think we force the kids to mature quickly now. There is not much childhood left. I hardly see kids play outside anymore, they are inside in front of a screen, reading adult news.
What wonderful responses, and far more mature than many adults’ views!
You are right, many adults sound like kids (or very uneducated) these days.
Wow! This blows my mind! For only being 12 and 13, they are very well educated and well informed about their rights as American citizens and how freedom works. Great post! Thanks for sharing.
I don’t know where the kids were from, but I know that some were from the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, German, Italy, Spain. The age and first name had been given to us, but not the nationality.
I agree with you, they all are very well educated in mind and heart.
Oh okay. Well regardless of where they are from, they are very intelligent and wise in their young age. I hope this new generation will be the leaders of this country and help turn this country around for the better.
We have the same hope 🙂
Those young people made their point really clear❣️
Yes, they came across loud and clear -all of them. Thank you for reading, Luisa.
You are so very welcome my dear friend!
It is always my pleasure!
Those young people made their point really clear❣️
All I can do is echo Darlene’s comment. These are the voices we need to hear. Thanks for this, Bridget.
Thank you, Jane. I am always delighted when I see you in my comment section.
The future is in good hands
It looks like it and that puts me at ease.
Wise words. I hope the current US government doesn’t stop them thinking like this.
It was an international project. None of the children were in the US as far as I remember.
Ah, I see. I just hope that US kids will be allowed to think like this too. From what I read and hear it seems as though education there is being redefined in unfortunate ways.
As for the US kids and the rest of the world, it’s up to the parents and teachers and I have very high hopes because the more you try to force believes (may they be political or religious) on people, the more they will fight them.
I hope so. The perception the media gives us here is that Trump and his toadies are trying to wreck everything good about the US! I hope people power can overcome that.
Fingers crossed. If only we could learn the lessons of history!
How profound these young folks are. Just reading these statements gives me hope for tomorrow. Thanks for sharing them.
Their maturity surprised me and just like you, I felt hope. We have messed up so many things, I hope the generations behind us will fix it all -and for good.
Completely agree!!