The study was conducted among a two different age groups that consist of people ranging from above and below the age of 30. The collected data is from all female subjects aged 19, 21, 45 and 62.
Surprisingly, the opinions about whether or not they support for the first amendment were various. For the most part, the older and younger age groups knew that the first amendment, known as the “freedom of speech”, was already a law, and the youngest, 19, was aware that freedom of speech existed but not necessarily that it is a law currently in place. However, the nineteen year old agreed with and fully supports the first amendment. One particular participant, age 42, said, “I don’t necessarily support it. I believe in freedom of speech but when it humiliates, causes harm or bullies other people, not so much.” The same participant also stated, “That’s a tough one. I think there needs to be restrictions.” Strangely enough, the oldest participant and second youngest stated that they both agree with the freedom of speech and was aware that the freedom of speech is the first amendment. When the eldest was asked about the vague “new law”, she immediately recognized what the “new law” was and then asked, “Is this a trick question?” After an explanation of the experiment, the 62 year old expressed complete support for the first amendment with an emphatic “Yes!”
It’s somewhat understandable for the younger subjects to not be completely familiar with the details of the first amendment. After conducting this study about the general public’s knowledge of the first amendment, the difference in opinion and knowledge based on age is slightly noticeable. According to Newseum, Three-out-of-four Americans are supportive of the First Amendment and this experiment is an exact representation of that.
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