Posted on 02/10/2009 4:46:27 AM PST by IrishMike
Letters from parents often complain of a sense of futility in trying to argue with their own children, who have been fed a steady diet of the politically correct vision of the world, from elementary school to the university.
Some ask for suggestions of particular books that might make a dent in the know-it-all attitude of some young people who have heard only one side of the story in classrooms all their lives.
That is one way of going about trying to de-program young people. There are, for example, some good books showing what is wrong with the "global warming" crusades or showing why male-female differences in income or occupations are not automatically discrimination.
Various authors have written a lot of good books that demolish what is currently believed— and taught to students— on a wide range of issues. Some of those books are listed as suggested readings on my website (www.tsowell.com).
Yet trying to undo the propaganda that passes for education at too many schools and colleges, one issue at a time, may not always be the best strategy. There are too many issues on which the politically correct party line is considered to be the only way to look at things.
Given the wide range of issues on which students are indoctrinated, instead of being educated, trying to undo all of that would require a whole shelf full of books— and somehow getting the students to read them all.
Another approach might be to respond to the dogmatic certainty of some young person, perhaps your own offspring, by asking: "Have you ever read a single book on the other side of that issue?"
Chances are, after years of being "educated," even at some of the highest-priced schools and colleges, they have not.
(Excerpt) Read more at creators.com ...
[from the article]
” There are too many issues on which the politically correct party line is considered to be the only way to look at things. “
Sums up in one sentence why it’s virtually impossible to discuss anything with a Liberal....
“Closed Mindedness” is an integral part of the curriculum....
When Sowell speaks - I listen.....
Her response was she didn't have to know them, just about them. And the same for the Constitution.
I told her in that case she will most likely pass her civics test, but if she really wanted to make a difference in her world, community, and country she needs to know what the Constitution says, who holds power over what, and how that power is checked. She also needs know her Rights and take the responsibility for protecting those Rights.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2182127/posts
“I told her in that case she will most likely pass her civics test, but if she really wanted to make a difference in her world, community, and country she needs to know what the Constitution says, who holds power over what, and how that power is checked. She also needs know her Rights and take the responsibility for protecting those Rights.”
Awesomeness.
Good job, EBH.
Sorry about that, I must have screwed up the search.
She is just a teenager. I may have put things on a bit thick for her, but she at least heard it from someone she respects. Someone she views as being politically active. Maybe she’ll pick-up the torch, maybe she won’t. I suspect like most teenagers my words won’t mean much for a few more years.
No problem, sometimes I have the feeling the search is not working correctly.
Best bet, get ahead of the curve and spend your efforts in teaching them right from the outset. Parents have to know that today, there ain't no such thing as second tier parenting - meaning, institutions, culture and government are ALL actively trying to separate you from your children and indoctrinate with secular ideals. The more links to the socialist cults you can sever, the better. Some likely bets for improving odds?
1. Kill the TV.
2. Dump the CA-REER - get a job that pays for modest bills with modest time involvement and live with that.
3. Keep one parent in the home.
4. Homeschool.
5. Keep family as the #1 priority - much harder to do than to say.
6. Limit involvement in outside activities that drain family time, money and energies.
7. Select family goals, lifestyle that reinforce family, morals and independence.
8. Teach all things in life with a comparative method that looks squarely at outside culture, ideas and values - but fairly and clearly shows the differences between them and WHY traditional ideas are superior to new-wave, hip-hop socialism.
9. Eat meals together and talk to one another - this relates strongly to suggestion #1.
10. Keep relationships strong and intimate - share your lives with each other and model transparently.
Don't confuse it with thewelltrainedmind.com, which has no content and just sells stuff at you.
” at least not until life teaches a few lessons first “
Liberals are innoculated against ‘life lessons’ by the cult of ‘Victimization’....
When their beloved ideals don’t work out, it’s because they’re ‘victims’ of evil people.....
(otherwise - good post... ;~))
Two great quotes:
“I am afraid that the schools will prove to be the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures and engraving them into the hearts of the youth.” ——Martin Luther
“Once abolish the God, and the government becomes the god.” ——G.K. Chesterton
Another great read is by Dr. Benjamin Rush (1745-1813)who was one of the youngest signers of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Titled: “A Defense of the Use of the Bible in Schools.”
another way to do this is the way I did it....talk to your kids every day, ask them what they did, and then without emotion, explain the differences between your view and the crap being fed to them. They ultimately have to make a choice...I taught my kids to respectfully disagree with anything that did not sound right to them, and to write reports and stories based upon their beliefs, not the schools....did cause some sparks a number of times, with my kids bringing home F’s on some papers due to political beliefs, but I would stick up for the content and proper use of english, and prevailed 95% of the time...the other 5% I would appeal to the councilors, principal, and anyone else that would listen....It is a damn near full time job to deprogram the little crumb crunchers, but through perseverence and dedication, it can be done. I have succeded in raising 3 conservatives through the public schools...
There is an organization that does worldview conferences for kids. They take it before going to college. It is a great way to prepare our children for the onslaught of liberalism they will face in college. It is Summit Ministries at www.summit.org I am not affiliated with them or anything. I’m just excited that they are offering this service. My kids also take worldview seminars every time one is offered in our city. I think every conservative needs to put their children in these classes. The group that comes to our town is www.worldview101.com They offer classes to elementary kids through adults.
Joe,
You just summed up the core difference between libs and conservatives, in regards to education. You are completely involved in your children’s educational lives, and have not yielded this responsibility to their “teachers”. (A term I use loosely.) Liberals, on the other hand, can’t understand why the schools expect them to be involved. The “But, I’m not a teacher!” attitude is a sad testament to their parenting ‘abilities’. (Another term I use loosely.) Kudos to you, fellow FReeper. Great post.
and dealing with these teachers can be a head trip!!! I can tell you stories that would make your hair curl...like once i found out my kid was not turning in his homework, and as such he was failing ( he would do it and not turn it in )at the beginning of the school year i talked with each teacher and told them that if there was any problems with my kids, to give me a call and I would take care of it...I gave them home phone, cell phone, and email addresses...well when i asked this jerk why he did not contact me in regards to my son not turning in his homework, he told me flat out “That is not my job”....
exactly, bump 4 l8r
Molon Labe!
My oldest son is now attending a small junior college. He was homeschooled most of his life as he was considered ADHD and we did not want to load him up on drugs to get him through school. He is very well read and loves history. He cannot believe the lemming like behavior of the 20 something crowd that goes to his college. He also cannot believe the constant idealogical brain washing of the curriculum and the teachers. No matter what the subject matter, they preach the superiority of socialism, global warming, gay marriage, and zero-growth population tactics (abortion, euthanasia, etc.). His 20 something class mates invariably attack anyone with a dissenting opinion with the full support of their teachers. His US Govt class was taught by a communistic ACLU teacher who spent most the class ridiculing our country and promoting Obama. When confronted with historical facts or logic the teachers and students ignore them and repeat the talking points they so strongly believe in. He has made several comments to me that he feels like he is in Huxley’s “Brave New World” surrounded by mindless drones.
My son also said that the college is in a panic because 60% of the students admitted to cheating their way through college. He also commented that the teachers complain and whine about how the students are apathetic and need constant hand holding to accomplish tasks. In a way, our society has created an entire generation of kids that do not associate cause and effect and appear unable to have analytical thinking skills. In his classes they spend most their time texting each other or surfing facebook. He said he often is the only person that can carry a conversation with the teacher because he is the only person that actually read the text book. My son said he fears for our country if this is the future generation that is taking over. The only classes that he likes are the night classes which are full of adults with part time teachers (they actually function like a real school in his opinion). By the way, this junior college is in Texas which is supposed to be more conservative (imagine what it is like in California).
We are watching the Republic go down the tubes, because the left successfully hijacked the educational system 50 years ago and has dogmattically reshaped our country through tactics that would make Stalin and Hitler smile. We have lost the most important battle as the majority of our school age children spend most their time being brainwashed and very little time actually learning useful skills.
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