The Benefits Of Trigger Warnings For Students

Today’s generation has grown sensitive to simple words or ideas that may arouse discomfort or “offense”, which are described as microaggressions. Students demand trigger warnings in order to shield themselves from these “microaggressions”. Trigger warnings are meant to prevent microaggressions, but the ‘trigger warnings’ themselves limit one’s mind and one’s preparation for reality or professional life. Universities are designed to teach students how to embrace multiple perspectives regardless of that student’s position on an issue. Students should be allowed to express themselves in order to engage in open-minded, academic discourse. Trigger warnings are a disadvantage for students’ intellectual growth and undermine the student’s right to

Many opinions may be considered “offensive” or hurtful to an individual, however it is each student and instructor’s constitutional right to express his or her opinion in a classroom setting. According to Michael Bloomberg in his article, On the Repression of Free Expression, “Tolerance for other people’s ideas, and the freedom to express your own, are inseparable values at great universities” (Bloomberg 103). The freedom to express your own opinion without being reprimanded and the ability to accept that people have this right are the two fundamental values within a successful university. Students and faculty must be allowed to express open views because as Bloomberg claims, “Great universities are places where people…can come to study and debate their ideas – freely and openly” (Bloomberg 103). Bloomberg reinforces that “freedom” is essential in a university. Different positions or opinions on an issue allow for a new and improved solution. Trigger warnings, however, deprive these critical conclusions from occurring and instead silence an individual with opposing

Students aren’t able to express their opinion, while professors aren’t able to teach their planned curriculum. Professors are forced to conform to the student’s idea of appropriate material. They are forced to create a “safe” environment in which “young adults are shielded from words and ideas that make some uncomfortable” (Haidt and Lukianoff 44). Trigger warnings work to create an environment in which the student’s emotional state is put before a proper education. According to Haidt and Lukianoff in their article, The Coddling of the American Mind, “It is creating a culture in which everyone must think twice before speaking up, lest they face charges of insensitivity, aggression or worse” (Haidt and Lukianoff 44). Students have grown too sensitive; they're used to being protected from reality by their over protective parents. They expect the same cushion against harm in college, but college is meant to challenge and change their way of thinking. Instead of students taking this challenge, we have to be cautious with what we say to make sure we don’t trigger upsetting emotions. This constant need to think twice not only affects the individual, but it affects the academic discourse present/offered in universities. Trigger warnings change the educational experience in the college classroom. According to Jon Overton, in his article, Beware the Trigger Warning, “They threaten to stifle some of the most