It’s not actually required that children say it; it would, in fact, violate the Constitution to mandate political speech, even from students. But it’s expected that students recite the Pledge, and most do.
For what it’s worth, another student noticed I wasn’t actually saying the pledge and hassled me mildly about it. I gave in immediately and started saying the pledge—it didn’t seem worth the effort of opposition.
This didn’t increase my (very minimal) sense of patriotism. Oddly enough, I don’t think it lowered my sense of patriotism, either.
It’s not actually required that children say it; it would, in fact, violate the Constitution to mandate political speech, even from students. But it’s expected that students recite the Pledge, and most do.
Because if they don’t, they are looked at with suspicion and ostracized.
For what it’s worth, another student noticed I wasn’t actually saying the pledge and hassled me mildly about it. I gave in immediately and started saying the pledge—it didn’t seem worth the effort of opposition.
This didn’t increase my (very minimal) sense of patriotism. Oddly enough, I don’t think it lowered my sense of patriotism, either.