Sleep deprivation in adolescents is linked to mental health struggles, worse grades, traffic accidents, and more. That’s why states such as California and Florida have mandated later high school start times. But opposition to later times is less about the science than it is about logistics and costs.
One thing that was not addressed in the article is morality. Among the other things I learned during 50 years in the workforce is that sleep is treated as a moral issue.
Choosing to “stay up late” or choosing to “sleep in” are decadent, unless it’s a result of late socializing. Choosing to go to bed when tired instead of staying up socializing is antisocial and even an insult to others. Choosing a sleep schedule that is natural and healthy is selfish when it conflicts with the imposed schedule. Not going on-call, taking shift work, or working extended shifts demonstrate the moral failing of a bad work ethic. Students suffering because their circadian rhythms don’t match the imposed schedule are lazy or don’t care or are unintelligent.
We’re not going to fix anything until we treat sleep and sleep schedules as biological imperatives instead of moral decisions.