FREE ESSAY ON FREEDOM VERSUS SAFETY

FREEDOM VERSUS SAFETY

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?