“It must always be remembered that what the Constitution forbids is not all searches and seizures, but unreasonable searches and seizures” (Stewart). Random searches of students are permitted by the Constitution and need to be allowed. The court case of T. L. O. v. New Jersey proved that searches in the school setting are both permissible and reasonable. The case represents students as a whole and shows that they are not above accountability, and school faculty members are in a position to act as the guardians of the students. Random searches of students on school grounds are reasonable and necessary because of the nature of adolescents.
Teenagers, though they have almost crossed the threshold into adulthood, are still immature and irresponsible. Ergo, they need to be treated accordingly. In 2002, forty-one percent of twelfth graders illicitly used drugs (Violence). Also, “in the next twenty-four hours, 15,006 teens will use drugs for the first time”, “every four minutes a youth is arrested for an alcohol related crime”, and “3506 teens will run away” “in the next twenty four hours” (14). A study conducted in 2001 showed that around thirty-three percent of students throughout the United States had been in one or more physical fights within the last twelve months (Violence).
In addition, teenagers “between the ages of sixteen and nineteen are four times more likely to get into accidents while driving than the average adult. The younger they are, the more at risk they are” (Teenage). In 2008, 6,428 teens were killed in car accidents (Teenage). It can easily be seen that high school students and teenagers in general are not above reproach. Precautionary measures in the form of searches need to be put into action to protect the safety, health, and well-being of both the students as a whole and individually.
The students simply do not know any better, which is why they need to be looked out for High school is one of the most pivotal times of students’ lives. They undergo many changes and are preparing to soon live life on their own. It is during this grueling transition time into adulthood that these young adults require guidance. Studies have shown that teenagers who have strong relationships with their parents are “less likely to experience emotional distress”, “exhibit lower levels of aggression and antisocial behavior”, “are less likely to engage in delinquent behavior”, and “achieve better grades” (Parental).
Unfortunately, many adolescents do not have a strong parental figure in their lives, which can lead to injurious behavior. In the event of the absence of a strong parental relationship with a teenager, it is the duty of the faculty members of a school to fill that role. The ability for administration and teachers to act as the guardians of the students was established in the court case of T. L. O. v. New Jersey when a principle did not need a warrant to confiscate drug paraphernalia spotted in a student’s purse (Sloan).
A study has shown that having a mentor holds much significance during an adolescent’s “formative” and even “emerging adult years” (Brown 15). Simply “feeling cared for by at least one adult… seems to make a difference in emerging adults’ lives” (Brown 17). Having a mentor has similar benefits to those mentioned regarding teenagers who have healthy relationships with their parents. Watching over the students is the responsibility of the faculty, and searches in schools is one of the ways the school can fill the parental role that might be lacking in an adolescent’s life.
Far too much suffering has been incurred due to the lack of searches in schools. There has been an inexcusable amount of shootings in schools. Numerous students, teachers, and school faculty have been victims of dreadful violence. “A teacher was slain in Edinboro, Pennsylvania; four students and a teacher died in Jonesboro, Arkansas; and two students, as well as the assailant’s parents, were killed in Springfield, Oregon” (McLeod). The agony experienced by the families and loved ones of those lost is unfathomable. To simply stand by and allow for more pain to occur is incomprehensible.
Future anguish can easily be prevented by the allowance of searches in schools. Searches will enable the school to search the students and confiscate any potentially harmful objects. This will ensure that no one has to face the same death-ridden reality that so many others have to face daily. Some may argue that random searches and seizures in schools violate a student’s right to privacy that is granted by the Fourth Amendment. The Fourth Amendment states, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizure, shall not be violated” (Fourth).
Searches within schools are constituted as reasonable. It is absolutely necessary that privacy is limited in the school setting for the benefit of everyone present on the school campus. An absence of searches in schools welcomes the continuation of violence and misdemeanors. Horrific events such as the Columbine High School Shooting do not have to continue to occur, and people do not have to die if weapons are found before a massacre takes place (Columbine).
“In the United States in 2001, 6. percent of students reported missing one or more days of school in the last thirty days because they believed it was too unsafe at school or going to and from school” (Violence). The fear of facing violence in a learning environment is far too common, which is why the privacy limitations accompanying searches of students are warranted. During the course of the last few decades, the life and behavior of the high school student has altered dramatically. The world we wake up to every day is not the same as it used to be.
Students live according to the culture they are born into. Nowadays, there is not much reverence for responsibility and maturity. Violence is glorified, acting foolishly is praised, and delinquency is commonplace. The current state of our culture and society that has influenced the youth of today is what beckons the necessity of random school searches. The welfare of our future depends on the next generation, and it is up to us to take action to safeguard our future.