One of our participants in Common Sense Civics and Citizenship expressed concerns that our nation’s divisiveness may be irreparable for these reasons:
-He says two, maybe 3 generations have been indoctrinated rather than educated.
-This participant believes such indoctrination has negatively altered our country’s core values.
-He argues that coping with these changes is uniquely challenging for our nation.
Let’s respond to these concerns by addressing their educational roots. This shift will focus our energy on underlying issues rather than surface-level blame.
Generational Indoctrination
Where might this have started? I say it started in the 1960s, not with parents, but with a teenage rebellion against the values our country had stood for over 200 years. Parents were shell-shocked, not only by war (again), but by the outward defiance of their offspring. I can tell you that my parents would have cut off the money, full stop, if my siblings or I had chosen to forsake God, family, and country for a hippie summer of love experience. (If you know, you know).
Changing the Country’s Values through Indoctrination
No country’s values change without fear- Examples of fear include FOMO (fear of missing out on fun, food, or freedom). Indoctrination only happens through some form of fear, such as insecurity. Strong, courageous, well-grounded people are not easily manipulated. I contend that the teens of the ‘60s became the parents of the ‘70s. The modern parenting approach left teens confused. Parents were on a journey to “find themselves.” What is love? What is freedom? Who’s in charge? Who am I? Where do I belong?
Prior to this, two-parent families weren’t perfect, but the values of faith, family, and freedom produced growing teens who didn’t need to ask those questions well into adulthood. For two centuries, Americans knew who they were. No one needed to tell them, “I’m ok. You’re ok.”
Coping with Major Changes Caused by Indoctrination
According to this participant’s estimation, we face an insurmountable challenge. But, I submit this challenge is one we can meet. We are not beyond repair. In the eighteenth century, it took only a few patriots to confront the realities of war and ignite the fires of liberty in a fledgling country. In the mid-twentieth century, it only took a handful of college students in a meeting room to put their indoctrination plan in place to remake the nation.
This quote gained notoriety and was attributed to Margaret Mead in the years after her death in 1978.“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Throughout history, this seems to be the case.
Repairing Indoctrination Damage
Why shouldn’t it be true now? Why can’t We the People learn to make the case for liberty under law through knowledge of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution? We are not beyond a challenge. We could renew the will to preserve our American heritage, leaving it better than we found it.
Perhaps you have some ideas on how we can ignite the fires of patriotism and true individuality as an example to younger, even future generations. Consider one concrete action you’ll take this month to teach civic knowledge or model civic virtue for younger people. True change may take a generation or more, but it starts now, with us leading the way.
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship.🇺🇸
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