One of the most striking trends of the last few election cycles is that many younger Americans are embracing socialist ideas — not just as a policy preference, but as a worldview. Recent surveys show that a large majority of adults under 30 now express a favorable view of socialism, and a surprising share even hold positive impressions of communism.
After thirty years in the classroom, one educator, Eric Patterson, is going public with his take on exactly why many young people say they are attracted to socialism. His first and most important insight is simply this:many students don’t know the history of communism or the crimes associated with it. Many young people today can’t name the regimes responsible for tens of millions of deaths across the 20th century, or explain how oppression, economic collapse, and mass murder were driven by socialist experiments around the world. That lack of knowledge isn’t accidental — it’s the product of willful gaps in our education system. Too often, history classes skip the Cold War and the brutal realities of communist rule. When young people are never taught these lessons, the bright promises of “taking care of everyone” sound appealing and unchallenged.
Another factor Patterson highlights is experience: many young adults have never held a job where they earned wages or balanced a budget, meaning they lack firsthand understanding of how productivity, private enterprise, and personal responsibility drive prosperity. Our immediacy-driven social media culture has made simplicity and security more attractive than the nuance of constitutional liberty.
This is not merely an academic concern — it shows up in election results, like the many recent victories or near-wins by candidates who describe themselves as socialists, especially in areas with high youth turnout. As we mark America’s 250th birthday this year, this moment offers a powerful opportunity. We can — and must — teach our children the full story of this nation: the uplifting chapters that showcase American ingenuity and liberty; and the sobering chapters that reveal how socialism has consistently failed wherever it has been tried.
We owe it to young Americans to teach history honestly and courageously, equipping them with the wisdom to appreciate the blessings of liberty. We promise to live up to that standard at PhyllisSchlafly.com. Join us today to get involved in your area fighting the rise of radical socialism in America. Again, that’s PhyllisSchlafly.com, and join us next time for the Phyllis Schlafly Report.
