Sasse proposes, “The schools are less to blame than we are, for we [parents] are the ones who have asked them to deliver more than any mass institution is competent to produce.” In part two of the book, he gives five character-building habits for parents to help kids get traction out of perpetual adolescence. “All five require building scar tissue on purpose; bodybuilding for the mind and soul.”

I typically do not read books from contemporary politicians. Recently I made an exception when a friend who thinks intelligently about culture recommended that I read The Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming-of-Age Crisis and How to Rebuild a Culture of Self-Reliance, by Ben Sasse. A few chapters in, it became obvious that Sasse is not a typical politician.

He has been serving as a US Senator from Nebraska since 2015. He holds degrees from Harvard, Oxford, St. John’s, and Yale. He has worked in consulting and was a university president by age 37. Sasse learned to work with his hands, having grown up farming. He is a Christian and has three kids. His conservative persuasion is not motivated by larger tax breaks, but by things like the first amendment, in voluntarism, and decentralized decision-making. And, Sasse seems like the type of guy who you could chat with on anything from cars to Christ to culture while watch college football and eating a Coney Island dog.

For the most part, the book discusses how parenting and educational philosophies are the majority influencers on kids, and therefore, culture. Sasse laments the current scene of youth. And it’s more than a mere mocking of the 20-something adolescent vegging out on Call of Duty in his parent’s basement.

Even so, Sasse is upfront: we actually do have an unmatched, “coming-of-age crisis” on our hands. The unprecedented number of kids on things like antidepressants is not a good sign. Recent ADHD medication sales topping $13 billion is not encouraging. The average “tween” (8-12 year olds) glued to entertainment media about six hours per day is not the mark of an aspiring generation. Universities full of kids who crumble emotionally under opposing and challenging ideologies is not the mark of a responsible, courageous generation. Sixty-three percent of 18-30 year old males using pornography more than once a week is not a sign of maturity. We could go on. And, though there were some good things about the good ‘ole days, he goes farther than putting a chronological guilt trip on readers. The need for our youth goes deeper than having to walk to school uphill both ways in a snowstorm like granddad.

From the book, it’s clear that Sasse loves America but he doesn’t worship it. He values our government and constitution, but he does not impose a savior-expectation upon them. Regardless where one falls, I think readers will find the book refreshing as Sasse avoids a partisan blame-game when it comes to addressing cultural issues. He evades rallying a pitchfork-and-torch uprising against a particular political party. Nor does he portray himself as a political messiah with all the answers.

He takes a wiser approach by speaking frankly, humbly, and practically to everyday citizens. He just speaks to the everyday, street-level population. And that’s what I need as I attempt to navigate real cultural crises while trying to change some diapers, fix the car, and work a job.

The Education Situation

In large part, the issue comes down to parenting and education. It’s not only that, though it is at least that. He operates by the presupposition that humanity is born with a self-centered nature, thus needs to be steered in the opposite direction.

A few chapters are devoted to a look at education theory, though it is not only a book about education. We should not throw kids into more education. A broader goal is necessary; forming nascent human beings into wise, strong, and diversified people who contribute in a variety of ways to current society, while working to raise up the next.

Sasse argues that some Americans have placed too much hope in public education. We have placed expectations on it which it simply cannot produce.

Read More