Light

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Definition

Wisconsin v. Yoder was a Supreme Court case in 1972 where Amish parents refused compulsory education for their children past eighth grade based on their religious beliefs. The court ruled in favor of the Yoders, stating that their First Amendment rights to freedom of religion were more important than the state's interest in educating its children.

Analogy

Think of Wisconsin v. Yoder as a tug-of-war game between two teams - one team representing religious freedom and the other representing state education laws. In this case, the Supreme Court decided that the religious freedom team pulled harder.

Related terms

Compulsory Education Laws: Laws which require children to attend school for a certain number of years or until they reach a specific age.

Free Exercise Clause: A part of the First Amendment ensuring people’s right to practice their chosen religion freely.

Supreme Court: The highest federal court in the United States, consisting of nine justices and taking judicial precedence over all other courts in the nation.