I have the right to be happy.... wait, what?

I teach at two schools. Each of them opens up the day with the pledge to the American flag, and then their own personal school's pledge. Someone recites it over the loudspeaker, while all the other children say it along with them. Then they move on to the daily announcements. Below is the pledge for one of my schools- we'll call it "Elementary School."

"As an Elementary School student, I have the right to be happy and be treated with kindness in this classroom. This means that no one will laugh at me, ignore me, or deliberately hurt my feelings. I will obey my teachers. I will respect others. I will do my work and make my family and my teachers proud of me. Today, I will be a good Elementary School student."

It sounds all fine and good at first... the last half is great! The opening line, though... "I have the RIGHT to be happy"... wait, what?


I think I understand the premise behind it, and I think whoever wrote it had great intentions. But seriously, this is a dangerous statement, especially one for the students to be repeating EVERY day! I think the focus here is really off. We don't have the right to be happy at all! Especially in this area, I see a lot of entitlement attitude already in people who think that the world owes them something. If these kids grow up believing that they have the RIGHT to be happy, they will be sorely disappointed. The world just doesn't work like that. You can only be responsible for your own actions; you can't control the actions of others.

You definitely can't expect other people to make you happy, either- how self-centered and arrogant! This belief leads to adults who, when they aren't happy, sit and think, "hold on, I have the right to be happy! the world has let me down," and they go looking to get what's theirs, and are so offended when they don't get what they think they deserve. These types of people do not function well in society. They certainly aren't focused on how they themselves can contribute to society. WE are the ones who are essentially responsible for our own happiness, not other people.

Our inalienable human rights are life, liberty, and the PURSUIT of happiness, not happiness itself. That is an important distinction.

I realize that in an elementary school setting, we should be able to expect a certain level of conduct from others. I'm all for a healthy sense of self, too. In no way am I saying that kids should just take crap from other kids. There's a good way for them to stand up for themselves. I think there must be a better way to communicate that, though.

Any thoughts?