Constitution Day is today, but the majority of Ball State University students might not remember celebrating the federally mandated holiday in high school, according to a recent report.
Hayley Ryan, a freshman fashion design major, said she does not remember recognizing Constitution Day when she was in high school.
According to the Future of the First Amendment III study, 50 percent of high school students are unaware that Constitution Day exists, and three-fourths of them are apathetic about the First Amendment or take it for granted.
Researchers at the University of Connecticut concluded students support First Amendment issues that affect them, but care less about issues that do not directly affect them, according to the report.
Kenneth Dautrich and David Yalof polled more than 5,000 students and more than 1,000 teachers and parents from around the United States about the Constitution and the First Amendment.
According to the report, Constitution Day is the day the federal government requires high schools to teach students about the Constitution.
The study reported 89 percent of high school students don't know how their school recognized Constitution Day the previous year. This year, 68 percent said they have had a class that dealt with the First Amendment, according to the study.
Brandon Parker, a freshman music technology major, said although he didn't remember recognizing Constitution Day in high school, he learned about the Constitution in government classes.
According to the report, students are not likely to support an issue involving the First Amendment unless it directly affects them, such as music censorship and high school publications.
The study reported 63 percent of high school students reported they support musicians producing music with offensive lyrics, and 58 percent reported they support students publishing freely.
However, 38 percent of high school students admit they take the First Amendment for granted, and 36 percent said they don't know what the amendment does, according to the study.
Freshman history major Joe Riordan said his high school never recognized the day. He said he was taught about the Constitution and the First Amendment, but that more is necessary.
"[High schools} should teach the First Amendment to kids when they are younger because it is important for everyone to know their civil rights," Riordan said.
Ryan said high schools should try harder to educate students about the Constitution and First Amendment.
She said a lot of students have a vague understanding of the First Amendment and don't understand exactly what it protects.
"Right now with the smoking ban debate, I don't think people understand how the First Amendment affects that," she said. "I think that a ban would be unconstitutional."
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