Facts of the Case

Three Amish fathers, Jonas Yoder, Wallace Miller, and Adin Yutzy, were prosecuted under a Wisconsin law that required all children to attend public or private school until age 16. The Amish community objected, arguing that high school attendance was contrary to their religious beliefs and way of life. The parents contended that the law infringed upon their First Amendment rights to free exercise of religion. They preferred to withdraw their children from formal schooling after the eighth grade to provide vocational and religious education at home.

Constitutional Question

Does the compulsory school attendance law in Wisconsin violate the First Amendment rights of Amish parents to freely exercise their religion by compelling them to send their children to public school until age 16?

Arguments

For Yoder (the Amish parents):

• The compulsory attendance law interferes with the free exercise of their religious beliefs, which oppose high school education.
• The Amish community’s way of life and religious practices necessitate early withdrawal from formal schooling to provide appropriate religious and vocational education.
• The state’s interest in compulsory education is not sufficiently compelling to override the parents’ religious freedoms.

For Wisconsin:

• The state has a compelling interest in ensuring that all children receive a minimum level of education to become productive and informed citizens.
• Exempting the Amish from compulsory education requirements could undermine the state’s educational standards and public welfare.
• The law is a neutral regulation that applies to all citizens equally, without targeting any specific religion.

The Decision

The Supreme Court, in a unanimous 7-0 decision, ruled in favor of Yoder. Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, writing for the majority, held that Wisconsin’s compulsory school attendance law violated the Amish parents’ rights to free exercise of religion under the First Amendment. The Court found that the state’s interest in compulsory education did not outweigh the parents’ fundamental right to direct the religious upbringing and education of their children. The Court emphasized the successful and self-sufficient nature of the Amish community and concluded that an additional one or two years of formal schooling would not significantly benefit the children or the state.

Significance

Wisconsin v. Yoder is a landmark case that reinforced the protection of religious freedoms against state interference. The decision established that individuals’ rights to free exercise of religion can outweigh the state’s interest in compulsory education, particularly when a religious group demonstrates a sincere and longstanding objection to certain educational requirements. This case set an important precedent for balancing religious liberty with state interests and affirmed the principle that the government must show a compelling interest before infringing upon religious practices. Wisconsin v. Yoder continues to influence legal interpretations of the Free Exercise Clause and the rights of religious minorities in the United States.