The Bill of Rights and the Constitution outline the rights that U.S. citizens have and how those rights are protected. But do all of those rights apply equally to youth? In a society where children are unable to vote for who runs the country, and where young voices are undervalued in the political discourse, what rights do we have, and how are they protected?

Every other Friday during the school year, Ben Davis High School Key Club students have a sure way to get support for their club's community service projects: They appeal to the stomach. The club's doughnut sale draws hordes of students within minutes of opening. The group pulls in $100 every time, which adds up to $1,800 a year.

As a field commander is giving a pep talk, 200 young Americans in uniform stand at attention before they prepare to advance. If this were an earlier century, this scene could have preceded an infantry charge. These days, it is more likely to take place before a school marching band performance.

Ayanna Porter has watched kids in her class casually put a stick of gum in their mouths, then use the wrapper to scribble down test or homework answers.