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Every fall, American families experience a mix of pride and concern as they send their children off to college. Parents hope for growth in maturity and knowledge, anticipating a transformative journey. However, what often returns home during Thanksgiving break is not merely a tired student, but a changed one.
This phenomenon represents a quiet crisis occurring on campuses across the nation. While families expect education, many universities have shifted towards a model of re-education. Classrooms, which once fostered honest exploration, have frequently transformed into platforms for ideological instruction. In my recent book titled ‘College Without Communism,’ I argue that higher education has progressively moved away from cultivating truth and instead focuses on enforcing cultural conformity.
This change does not transpire abruptly. The transformation is subtle, slowly embedding itself in the minds of students. Academic environments routinely challenge faith, redefine morality, and substitute strong convictions with relativism. Students are invited to deconstruct various beliefs, with the institution’s worldview remaining largely unexamined.
However, hope exists within this landscape. Culture does not have the final say. Thanksgiving break provides a unique opportunity—a precious moment of time in an otherwise hectic academic calendar. This time can be utilized for introspection, reconnection, and remembrance.
Thanksgiving should not merely be viewed as a semester pause; it is a sacred chance for students to return to their roots. Families have the opportunity to reconnect with their loved ones—those who knew them before they faced the pressures to conform. This holiday creates a space for truth-telling, spiritual reflection, and identity restoration. In a culture that often blurs lines, this season can serve as a reminder of one’s core identity.
Moreover, it extends beyond political ideologies. This issue pertains to the spiritual foundations of young people. Many students leave for college with vibrant faith but return home grappling with uncertainty regarding their beliefs, including their understanding of God and the essential nature of truth. Strikingly, this disengagement can occur swiftly—sometimes, just one semester away from home can lead to disorientation.
This underscores the importance of viewing Thanksgiving as an opportunity for meaningful engagement rather than simple relaxation. It is essential for families to transcend small talk around the holiday table. Parents should pose significant questions and promote open dialogue. Speaking life and identity into their students with love and clarity is critical, reminding them that their worth is intrinsic, not dictated by grades, popularity, or cultural acceptance.
Prayer can play a pivotal role during Thanksgiving. Families might consider sharing personal convictions and narratives about their faith journeys, discussing how their beliefs were tested and strengthened. If students arrive home with doubts or wrestle with profound ideas, parents should not shy away from these discussions. Instead, they should foster an open atmosphere, listening patiently and responding gracefully, ultimately guiding their children back to unchanging truths.
Contrary to what many headlines suggest, today’s students are not as adversarial toward faith as perceived. Many are quietly on a quest for stability in an increasingly unpredictable culture. They seek clarity, connection, and courage. Families and communities of faith can effectively meet these needs but must be willing to engage meaningfully and remain present.
At Southeastern University, our daily mission is to prepare students not just with knowledge but with profound wisdom. Our goal is to equip them to think critically without being ensnared by ideological constraints. We aspire for them to engage with culture while maintaining their core beliefs. Achieving this goal requires family involvement, mentorship, and supportive community structures dedicated to holistic development.
Thanksgiving embodies more than a holiday; it serves as a spiritual reset for individuals. It roots participants in gratitude and reconnects them with their narratives. For students navigating various pressures, it can be a lifeline that helps them rediscover their true selves.
Rather than needing rescue from the challenges of academic life, this generation requires re-rooting in truth. This Thanksgiving, families should strive to do more than gather together at the dinner table. They ought to take the opportunity to reaffirm their students’ identities, remind them of their inherent worth, and underscore the significance of those truths.
This Thanksgiving could mark more than just a holiday. It can be a crucial moment for families to engage deeply, to reassure students, and to solidify their beliefs in an ever-changing world. The table can become a platform for rekindling faith and identity—elements vital in today’s culture.
