My daughter sends me a text with an image of Karl Marx on a video screen, and she writes. "Why am I learning about Karl Marx?" With a couple of laughing emojis! Minutes later, she sends a text, "Now I'm watching a video - Critical Race Theory; this is all for my ethnic studies class."
What is my daughter learning in a federally funded college?
She's in her second year of college with a major in Business Management. I completely understand the required or general classes for her major - but very few of her classes last year or this semester have to do with business. This semester her subjects include an introduction to ethnics studies, introduction to philosophy, introduction to the environment, and principles of macroeconomics.
This semester, many of her assignments are peppered with CRT, social justice, gender identity, racial formation theory, race conflict, and even a "Pronoun Guide" on using people's correct pronouns. Her environmental class will also teach how climate change has brought social injustice.
This is nothing new for college graduates or those attending college now. But for many of us, specifically parents, this may be a shocker.
As Christian parents, is sending our daughter to college the right decision?
Don't get me wrong, as a Christian, I want my kids to be well-rounded educationally, so I understand there will be classes I may find unnecessary or disagree with for my adult kids. But I would expect, if pursuing a business degree in college, that those classes, for example, introduction to environment, would have assignments centered around business and not used as a platform for CRT or social justice.
I believe there are many questions to answer before sending your kids off to college. I am not proposing that I have the right questions to ask or the best answers, but I would not prioritize education or a degree over your kid's salvation. Period! Yes, this may seem a little extreme, but what they teach in our colleges is so extreme that many students enter college as a Christian and exit as atheists.
Education is always good, and it's biblical
My wife and I are fully aware that our children belong to God, and as parents, God has entrusted us to care for and nurture them physically and spiritually. As parents, we are obligated to raise them in the knowledge of God, which begins at birth. Parenting is intentional; it's about being involved with your kids as they grow up.
My point is this; education starts in the home. We should not depend on our public and private education system to be the foundation or source of education. It's reckless to throw our kids into college with hopes that they will somehow have a better and happier life with a degree, in which schools spend more time indoctrinating our kids with nonsense than actual education.
Working a part-time job teaches life skills
With my daughter's full-time school schedule, she also works part-time for a fast food chain. She recently accepted a position as a shift lead that gives her a little more responsibility for employee management and customer service.
We often talk about her work and how the business is operating. We talk about menu items, the lack of sauces (the cornerstone of this business), and even the shortage of soft drink cups during her shift.
We discuss the reasons for the shortage of menu items or the complaints, and we critique them from the view of a customer, the business owner and the employees. We do this so she would get a better insight into the operation of a business. What do CRT, social justice, and race conflict have to do with business? very little!
Parents should be involved with their kids
I will close in this; if you are a Christian parent, I suggest being involved with your child's education from day one - starting with bible reading and bible stories in the home. Then, bring up your child in the house of God and let them enjoy Sunday school and youth services, building a community of friends among other believers in Christ. Finally, nurture them in the ways of the Lord - It's biblical and pleasing to God.
As a parent, make sure you attend an open bible church that is not ashamed to speak about sin and grace, and is willing to teach Christian living in a biblical worldview. Because the church is not between four walls, it's in our daily life. Last but not least, this is the most difficult. Live out your life as followers of Jesus, and this will set an example for your kids.
Our kids will spend many years in a private and or public school, do you know what they are teaching?
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6