The damage is pretty well done before they even get to college. THAT leg was kicked out from under the chair long ago. It’s like they never had a chance.
By the time I was a student, I had a background in history (which was NOT the revised version), a wholesome family life, respect for the Church (any church), the military, etc.
Consequently, I knew instantaneously and for certain that my professors were abusing their status to foist their personal views on the class. AND I knew just exactly which ones they were (all most all of them). I had this sort of gut feeling, a real aversion to them like an animal that won’t eat carrion, and it told me they were all but criminals and spiritually deformed to use their status and influence in that way. I felt very compromised and personally sullied by that.
Their behavior marred my entire college experience. I couldn’t wait to get out of there. I never went back, for anything! I actually have a nightmare where I am a student there again.
The funny thing is that until that time, I voted Democrat and I am pretty sure that my parents did as well. Once I saw what was happening in that classroom, I realized how wrong I was. I just quietly made a switch and didn’t talk to anyone about it. Not long afterwards, I found that my parents had changed as well.
How did I find out? A couple of friends visited me at home, young men returning from Viet Nam. (Dad was a WWII veteran). In a wordless flash (frozen in my memory like a indelible snapshot) I watched my father with these young men and though no one actually discussed politics, I knew my father was no longer a Democrat and that I made a right choice. I couldn’t believe that though my OWN father changed his thinking, he didn’t/wouldn’t EVER stoop to coerce my politics BUT that a ‘professor’ took that liberty with NO authority or compunction whatsoever.
BTW- It’s interesting… that was the first time I ever saw my father speak to any young men I knew with anything like respect or on anything like a equal footing. I was impressed.
It sounds like you came from a wonderful family who raised you right — to have a good head on your shoulders.