Posted on 08/19/2019 5:15:33 AM PDT by Kaslin
As the 2019-2020 school year begins this fall, millions of high schoolers and college students will be heading into an academic rife with politicization and heated classroom discussions. But, how do students truly feel about issues such as socialism, free speech, health care, and illegal immigration? Do these kids aged 13-22, known as Gen Z, feel comfortable sharing their true opinions? Do they even know the basic concepts of what they are discussing? To find out, Young America's Foundation, "the nation’s premier organization for inspiring students on high school and college campuses with conservative ideas," teamed up with Echelon Insights for a poll given exclusively to Townhall to gain a better understanding of America's youth.
When it comes to free speech in the classroom, students generally believe their teachers are receptive of open debate. According to the poll, which surveyed 2,004 Americans aged 13-22 nationwide, from June 11 - June 14, 2019, 74 percent of Gen Z'ers say they "feel like my teachers generally encourage students of a variety of points of view to participate in class discussions about government and economics."
However, nearly half of these same students, 46 percent, admit they "have stopped myself from sharing my ideas or opinions in class discussions." As for why these students refrained, it appears that peer pressure is the dominating factor as 50 percent said they held back their opinions because they "thought my classmates would judge me."
This poll also indicates that classroom conversation is hampered negatively since some opinions are withheld. For example, it potentially prevents students from gaining a fuller, broader understanding of topics like socialism and capitalism. For example, the polling indicates that 80 percent of Gen Z have a favorable view of small business, 73 percent have a favorable view of entrepreneurs, and 61 percent have a favorable view of free markets. However, despite the majority of these students finding these aspects of the economy "favorable," just 40 percent have a favorable opinion of capitalism."
Furthermore, 40 percent of college-aged students had a positive view of socialism. 35 percent of all respondents said they viewed the economic system positively. Yet, when asked to define socialism, 10 percent of these students answered it simply meant "free stuff" and 27 percent said they were "don't know/unsure."
YAF spokesperson Spencer Brown told Townhall that this poll highlights why his organization is so necessary for high school and college campuses. In short, groups like YAF are needed to fill in the gaps and truly explaining conservative ideas and values.
"The current landscape of high school and college education identified in the poll, shows that Young America’s Foundation’s work is as important as ever as young people return to their classrooms and lecture halls for another school year," Brown said. "Today’s students are hungry for ideas and keyed into the issues of the day but are frequently denied venues for free and open dialogue.”
The poll also shows that very few friends discuss free market concepts with their peers. However, when they do discuss and learn more about issues like economic inequality, the conversation happens on websites like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Sixty percent of respondents answered "social media" when asked, "Where have you recently seen, read, or heard about economic inequality in the United States?"
The poll also found that health care and immigration are the top two political issues Gen Z cares about. A key piece of the poll found the more informed somebody was on socialism, the less likely it was they thought it would benefit the country.
The poll asked:
On a scale of 0 to 10, where a 0 means you think this would be extremely bad for the country and a 10 means you think this would be extremely good for the country, do you think some form of socialism would be good or bad for the United States?
At first, the initial average mean response was 4.18. When given more information, that average mean decreased to 3.84. This change shows the critical impact that quality conversation and information about the free market and socialism can have on campus.
As for what the main take away from this poll, Brown said, "America’s educational institutions are failing to provide the next generation with venues where the free and open exchange of ideas can flourish.
"This is where bold Young Americans for Freedom activists who work to organize Young America’s Foundation’s iconic campus activism projects and host leading conservatives through YAF’s campus lecture program are filling a significant gap in education," Brown added.
....Unless President Trump declares ANTIFA to be a domestic terrorism group, then the game changes.
If it was me, I can show those kids that I am “the grumpy old lady with the smartphone” to the young person, and the young person would not know squat.
“It actually comes as a relief in your mid-20’s when you find some ability to focus on other things.”
What?? In my mid 20’s I had a nice car and more cash and realized a much wider and more available selection of racks, butts and legs to pursue.
At first I was thinking “Who is Genwral Z?”
Confused? That’s not a bug, that’s a FEATURE...of govt indoctrination.
It’s most likely a typo. Notice the W is next to the E
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Most Americans can’t discuss Free Market concepts beyond cliches
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‘Cuz the Free Market, outside of a few areas one can rap off w/ one hand, the Free Market DOESN’T exist. It’s been mangled by the illegal hand of govt in pretty much EVERY aspect possible.
Hell, some on FR L-O-V-E ‘em some govt meddling Socialism+...just visit any SS/MediXYZ thread. Otherwise, the (R)N(C) loves to *NOT* rock the boat (”We can’t\Until we ever go back, so we could ‘fix’ XYZ by...”) and dabble around the edges (REF: (R) & O’Care: “We can run it BETTER”)
It’s most likely a typo. Notice the W is next to the E. On the other had he could have it on purpose because he left a space after Gen
When you have “game developer” as one of the most desired jobs that these young-guns want, you KNOW we have major problems.
Good job!
For some. it is either black or white with no reality in between
You whine about the black unwilling to admit the very light gray
There will never be total free markets on a world wide basis but the President is intent and working hard to improve our ability to sell our exports in a world strewn with stubling blocks and fences.
In America we enjoy great freedom to enjoy our businesses inspite of whiners in the peanut gallery that lack what it takes to go into business.
And then call your mom to complain when somebody dares correct you...
Point out that socialism and communism steal what you have and kill you if you protest.
This is stupid.
Young people don’t know anything.
I went to my daughter’s HS gradution and heard a speech about how my generation has left such a big mess and that it is her generations duty to ‘fix’ it but, they have to fix it without hurting anyones feelings.
I thought I would puke.
Upside?
Grads who stood up because they were going into the service recieved the larget applause of the night.
Of course they are they are the generation who came up with Common Core in schools they were intentionally “educated” to be unable to perform simple logic and critical thinking... they were intentionally raised to be useful idiots when the marxists make their move.
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For some. it is either black or white with no reality in between
You whine about the black unwilling to admit the very light gray
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Yes, it’s either Const. authorized\legal, or illegal. Pointing out the facts != whining or diminish the truth.
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There will never be total free markets on a world wide basis but the President is intent and working hard to improve our ability to sell our exports in a world strewn with stubling blocks and fences.
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I wasn’t talking ‘world wide’, but fine. He’s pulling his typical ploy: talk tough, then back off. Works in some instances (China tariffs...but not the “X-Mas” hiatus), not in others (illegal aliens).
“Stumbling blocks” are one thing, violations of trade agreements are quite another (currency manipulation, dumping, fraud via shipping from other countries).
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In America we enjoy great freedom to enjoy our businesses inspite of whiners in the peanut gallery that lack what it takes to go into business.
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“Enjoy”? The full iron fist of Fedzilla’s tax/rules/regulations...you enjoy biz. w/ the freedoms BIG GOVT still *allows* you to have. But, your right, no way would I start up a biz, legally, so they could crush me via their millstone while feigning ‘joy’. More power to ya.
I think the spelling is correct because it make it look like the schools are from the Soviet Union.
Yeah, well first off, I wish more people enjoyed history. I asked my daughters and they find it boring, but love math.
Secondly, I understand not talking politics. I don’t talk politics at work. I like my job. My family need me to pay the bills. Period. On the left, you are pretty safe to express your opinion. On the right, not so much. Opinions about LGBT I also keep to myself.
They would not crush a competent businessman
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