According to recent research on that tired issue of politics in the classroom, the political opinions of professors do not seem to have any influence over the political opinions of students. (New York Times)
Having been included in the book, The Professors: The 101 Most Dangerous Academics in America, the issue hits close to home for me, as one might imagine. I’m not surprised, of course, given that I can hardly entice my students to follow my advice to read the newspaper, not to drink themselves into oblivion, cut down on consuming needless goods–let alone think like I do about a wide range of complex political issues that perplex me most of the time.
So I’m left to wonder about what students are learning in the classroom if they do not follow their professor’s direction on political concerns. Granted I am biased, but I happen to think that my personal opinions about Obama and McCain and all of the other candidates are noteworthy. I’m a learned person and have given serious thought to which one would make a better president. For twenty-five years my full-time job has been to reflect on these kinds of issues and I think that students probably ought to listen to me…and then listen to the person teaching in class next to mine and the next person and so forth. Where are students receiving their information if not from professors? The Daily Show? Hardball? The fair and balanced commentaries on Fox News? Their parents? These alternatives are really not very appealing for the spread of democratic process.
Go beyond the idea that classrooms should be an objective-neutral-dispassionate-etc. space for the transmission of ideas. And step outside of the box labeled “professors have inordinate persuasive powers and should not impose their ideas onto vulnerable students.” We throw our youth to the wolves every time they leave the home.
And why is it better or more acceptable for people to follow their parents over their professors? As someone whose job it is to unravel the bigotry and narrow-minded provincialism that some (perhaps “many”) parents have imposed on their progeny–and this seems to begin as soon as consciousness forms–I’m not especially hopeful about the possibility of love-acceptance-generosity-tolerance-democracy flourishing if we primarily rely on the magical fertilizer of parent-child socialization.
OK, so that sounds harsh, but I’m trying to make a point. My experience has led me to conclude that most parents have relatively little information about lots of complex issues and therefore have no business imposing their narrow vision on their children. Oh, except they’re parents and that’s one of the privileges of being a parent, right? As a parent one gets to tell one’s children all of the things that they wish our own parents either told or did not tell us.
So I guess what I’m really trying to say is that most parents do not think like me…and until they do they should let me brainwash their kids. Did I really just write that?
I find this blog very interesting, but I really do not think students are swayed by their professor’s opinions. I definitely have appreciated Sam’s honest political opinion throughout the semester, and do realize that he’s a very educated person. However, all of my other professors have been very hesitant to bring up the issue of politics, and I think this is probably a good thing. Sam says, “So I’m left to wonder about what students are learning in the classroom if they do not follow their professor’s direction on political concerns.” Well, students are learning what they’re supposed to be learning. Not all classes are political science oriented, and I do not want politics to somehow sneak its way into each of my classes. We’re in college now, and I think we deserve some credit. We can find honest, unbiased information outside of classes; and many times, this includes our parents (not all parents are, in fact, Fox News brainwashed conservatives or Daily Show watching liberals). I do not want to take anything away from Sam, I know he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to politics. But, I think if a student really wants to hear his opinion, or any other professor’s opinion regarding politics for that matter, he/she should go to office hours and discuss it there.
[Reply]
So this is quite the interesting point. I think the idea of “keeping politics out of the classroom” is more about the fact that students pay money to listen to lectures on the material that is appropriate for that particular class. We expect to hear about Calculus in Calc class and Emily Dickinson in English. I believe that a Political Science or Sociology professor has the right to talk politics and give opinions (english professors give their opinions on literature all the time) I think that this only becomes a problem when professors use class time to push their own agenda. That’s what I think this is all about. I think that sure, parents are biased, but so are professors, and even Dr. Richards. The idea here is that everything is biased, and students need to learn to evaluate everyone’s opinions for what they are… opinions. Personally, I believe that professors have as much of a right to talk politics out of the classroom with students as anyone else. And I agree, many professors do have a much more intelligent and well research stance than some parents, still this does not allow them to preach to their classes. Inherently, I believe that each individual’s viewpoint, no matter how educated and informed that person is, is ultimately a biased one.
[Reply]
Sam’s blog “Professors Do Not Seem to Sway Student Opinions” brings up an issue which I feel is very important and pertinent, yet under-discussed. Just how heavily should educators try to influence their students and just how neutral should they stay while giving their students the necessary information to make their own decisions? I have to agree with Sam on this one. It is wrong that educators should feel any sort of pressure to not be political in their teachings. If professors have to be cautious of what they say, it will naturally cause them to leave out some of their opinions, possibly causing students to miss out on important information which they otherwise would have received. Sam is the type of teacher who says what he thinks regardless, and I respect him for that. That is one of the reasons why I enjoy his class so much more than my other classes. Since he is not scared to get political or personal, he is able to relay his ideas and knowledge to his classes in a complete matter.
I strongly agree that if our teachers are not the ones instructing us on political issues or any other issues, for that matter, who is the one who should be teaching our youth? I think it should be the educators. What are we paying these people for if they cannot even do their job to best of their abilities because they are worried about persuading students one way or the other on issues? Bottom line is, if we want to enhance academia throughout America, it has to become socially acceptable for teachers to be able to not only share facts, but to provoke thoughts and instill opinions so the students can ultimately make their own choice.
[Reply]
“Professors do not seem to sway student opinion.” That statement terrifies me. What the hell do people come to college for if their not going to be persuaded away from their parents and friends opinions of life and the world. Parents and friends can influence people but their opinions should not be held in higher regard than educated professors who are experts in particulars fields.
I think people should go to a trade school if they just want to learn a skill. College is a place to hear opinions and agree or disagree with them to advance themselves as human beings. People that I know from back home that haven’t had the opportunity to attend college have more or less stopped their intellectual development and some are near clones of their parents. So I have to agree with Sam fully on this one. Students need to take the opportunity to let themselves be swayed by professors and weigh these opinions instead of relying on parents’ inadequate opinions. Otherwise, all that money spent on college will have been for nothing. Stubborn individuals who stick to their parents wisdom may well have stayed home and let their parents teach them about engineering, business, or architecture, regardless if they’re experts in those fields or not.
[Reply]
In my response to this entry I would have to say that I completely agree with Sam. I think that professors especially ones like Sam are extremely influential in what there students think. If you only listen to your parents, or you only get your information about the world from one source, that is such a bias one sided view of the world. In my opinion you go to college to learn about life and gain a different perspective on the world. A lot of times this is the first time that students are really on there own for the first time in there lives. They all live with kids there own age, hang out on weekends with kids there own age, and are actually completely surrounded by kids who are going through the same things that they are. So professors, at least in my opinion, are the only authority figure that we have to listen to sometimes. We trust that they are teaching us the right math problems and the right things about history and physics, so why would we not trust there political views. I think that professors are excellent people to look up to and take advice from, especially at a college such as Penn State. You have to be extremely intelligent and worldly to become a professor so I think that there advice might sometimes be a thousand times better then what ever your parents or the news show that you are watching are saying.
[Reply]
I think that this statement about professors not swaying their students opinions can go both ways. Like I have already read in some of the posted blogs, for many if not most students this is their first time away from home where they are introduced to a whole new world of people who have many different views on life. I think this is a point in many young adults lives where they strive to really grow into the person that that are going to be for the rest of their lives. I don’t necessarily think that professors “sway” their opinions, if anything challenges them to think in ways they never have before. This may open their eyes to agree on with other people’s views or it may make them feel as though they have a different viewpoint. Either way I believe it is a growing experience. Maybe some students do get easily persuaded and go along with what everyone else is saying and lets that go to their head before getting the chance to form their own opinions and views but this to me is seen as a growing experience.
I think the hardest part is when you start to branch off and realize that what you thought you believed for example ideals that your parents have installed in your mind as to what is right and wrong may start to change at this phase of a young person’s life. I wouldn’t consider it as the idea of being easily swayed but for some it may take that to come to a realization as to what your true beliefs are. The true test is if you can stand up for those beliefs and be confident in doing that.
[Reply]
I do not think there is anything wrong with Sam presenting his views to the class. There is a fine line in the professor student relationship though. The way Sam criticized and reflected upon politicians was equally biased towards every side. He does not blatantly favor any side and he does not shove his views into our heads in any way shape or form. If a professor started to preach their ideas in that fashion, it would definitely be inappropriate and quite frankly, it would be really annoying. Unless you are teaching a class on politics, your students do not need you to scream your ideas in front of a lecture hall until you can bend them to your will. Students are influenced simply by walking to class and taking in all the billboards and seeing advertisements on television and the news. If a student wants to hear the opinion of a professor in more detail it would be perfectly fine for them to approach the professor and ask their opinion on any matters that they feel would be something they want to discuss. I liked the blog that Sam wrote on this topic and I do feel that if a parent is not educated on a subject they should not try to influence their children just because they feel like they can. Let your kids make their own decisions. If you have ideas to express to them than that is fine but no one should be pressured into their own opinions.
[Reply]
In some ways I am somewhat surprised by the research that teachers don’t have a very large impact on the political views of college students, but in some ways I am definitely not surprised. I think that a major attribute to this is the state of mind that many college students have when they first get into college. almost all college students enter their first year of school gaining the most independence they have ever had in their whole life. for the last four years they have had their high-school teachers cramming curriculum into their heads and not having many really good opinions or intellectual arguments on political issues because high school teachers are sometimes forced to be too politically correct and students get into a habit of tuning out empty arguments. In college, when professors are allowed to really push the envelope when it comes to the topics addressed in classes, I think many students might still be in the habit of tuning out what their professors have to say and moving on. I agree with Sam on this topic though. I think that professors, especially those in positions and with experiences like Sam, are huge wells of knowledge and insight when it comes to issues like politics. To be honest, most of the time I disagreed with Sam on a lot of issues brought up in class. However, I was always interested and eager to hear what he had to say, because I really respect his credentials and know he is talking from a position of experience and has been around the block.
[Reply]
I am very shocked by this post. I am personally not much into politics at all but really tried to get into it since this was the first presidential election I was able to be a part of. I did definitely listen to my parent’s views and knew who they were going to vote for, but a lot of things I learned from my professors. One professor in particular this semester made us read the USA Today every week and would always show us a short news clip in class about what was going on with the election. He would give us information about both candidates and both parties equally. Some things that he told us I never knew and really took them into consideration. I know that he is very involved with politics and knows a lot about it. My parents knew a lot too but they were also very biased and would tell me mostly about the person they were voting for and bashing the other. I think that the research was totally absurd because I think that a lot of people, whether they realize it or not, listen to a lot of what their professors say and sway to believe them.
[Reply]
This expresses my daily frustrations. Almost every bigoted person that I ask to explain their reasoning, either can’t or says that is how their parents feel or say that it is because of how/where they were raised. That seems a little ridiculous considering that we are adults, living on our own in the real world. Are you all really going to use this excuse for the rest of your life? I find this a rather pathetic justification for anything, especially for hate.
Then I step back and realize that almost every passion, belief and moral I have learned from my parents. I discovered many of my truths on my own – or so I thought – but still they run parallel to how my parents raised me and what they believe. This makes me first off feel fortunate that I have such open minded and loving parents. Secondly, however, it makes me question how I should feel about people who didn’t have parents that were as unprejudiced. Should people be blamed for the brainwashing that happens to them? I believe that at a certain age people need to begin to question all that they know to be true, and discover for themselves what they think. But should I blame people who don’t feel the same as me? Or who aren’t as focused on getting to know themselves and the world around them? Who am I to tell them to think like me?
Ultimately, however, I think that there is no excuse for hate, especially unquestioned hate that comes from parents.
[Reply]
I feel like I group in a much different household than most people. That is a pretty general statement, but I stand by it. No matter how hard we try, we are, in large part, a product of our parent’s tendencies and behaviors. My parents, however, allowed me to figure most things out for myself. Of course they gave me their opinion, they had to they are my parents. But they never made me go to church. Instead, when I was old enough to understand what religion was and the power it has over people, they took me to a bunch of different services and let me figure out for myself what I wanted to believe. After going to all of the services, we all sat down and had a long discussion about what I felt and thought, and they helped me sort it all out. But I never felt pressured to conform to their beliefs or political views or whatever. My will was my own and to be determined by myself and my experiences, not the experiences of my parents. And for this I thank them, because I think that parents want their kids to be a certain way so badly, that they often put too much pressure on them and the kids end up turning out completely different anyways. I am going to let my kids be whoever they are going to be, just like my parents did.
[Reply]
College students are becoming increasingly more independent on their political views, and due to this, professors are especially less likely to have their own political views imprinted on the minds of their students. I feel that this is a good thing. Obviously, professors are there to help shape and direct students in the supposed “right” direction, but this is all dependant on the professors opinions. Unless the professor is teaching a political science class, I feel that their political views are irrelevant. Even in a setting such as Soc 119, political views are irrelevant. Different views should be expressed and the facts should be stated, but to brainwash a student to follow something dogmatically would be irresponsible as an educator. In a class such as math and science; clearly such talk shouldn’t even be expressed. As I stated earlier, professors are there to help shape and educate young adults to a have a better worldly knowledge. Children shouldn’t be brainwashed to their professors view, nor should they be brainwashed to follow their parents. Only through a culmination of both, along with other sources, can a young adult truly achieve better understanding. It’s not necessarily about making someone believe the same things you believe, but to give them that knowledge and allow them to make their own rational decisions.
[Reply]
I was raised by conservative parents, and I have one sibling, a brother who is the world’s biggest Republican. My whole childhood I soaked up conservative theology, but when I started listening to a little band called Bad Relgion, that changed everything for me. Not only was I seeing the extreme conservative side of the story, but also now I was being exposed to the extreme liberal side of the story.
And I started to find that both ends of the spectrum were pretty close-minded.
As someone who is officially registered to vote as a non-affiliate, I don’t have the usual outlook on politics that most people have. So I soak up political opinions of people from all over the place, internalize them, and then (if I feel I have enough information) assert my own opinion from there.
I take the opinions of my professors, as learned experts, into careful consideration, although sometimes I simply tune out these opinions, no matter what side of the aisle they fall on. Sam, however, is a teacher that I have stolen an idea from. I love his terms “Republocrat” and “Dempublican.” For me, he hit the nail right on the head there; that’s something I’ve always believed but have never been able to articulate so accurately… so I found myself using those terms frequently in political discussions with my friends.
So while I don’t follow my parents’ political ideas, I don’t always follow my professors’ either. I’d rather form my opinions myself than have my party or someone else form them for me, but when someone’s right, they’re right, and I’ll take their cue.
[Reply]
This is a very important question to consider; where do we get our knowledge from? I’d like to first start this response by stating that I do not believe you can be a completely unbiased person, no matter what you are discussing. Everyone has their own specific views and subconsciously transfers their personal beliefs when talking to others, no matter how “unbiased” they are trying to be. I believe that many classes I have taken at Penn State, including SOC 119 has taught me to be aware of all of the bias we encounter in our daily lives. Sam believes that we should look at as much different information as possible, and then come to informed decisions about what we believe to be true. I think this is the best way to approach this issue. Relating back to the question that I started my response with, I think that we get our knowledge from all sorts of different venues, inside the classroom and out. But it is our responsibility to build “filters” if you will, to help us come to educated conclusions. As far as what we learn from our parents, I believe that there are tons and tons of parents out there are not even prepared to have children, much less properly educate them. This is why I hate it when people believe exactly what there parents believe because that is most convenient, and do not take the time to figure out and experience things for themselves.
[Reply]
I think that parents do have a big influence on their kids’ political views. I personally know that my political views have been influenced by my parents. I have been immersed in their views my entire life and listen to them talk about who they support and who they do not. I have come to accept these views and I support the same things that they do. Since I have these political views which I have taken to be my own I do not really pay attention to when a teacher or professor tries to influence me by giving their political view which is the opposite of my views. I just push them aside and give them no time. So I can see how the New York Times can say that professors do not seem to sway the student’s opinions. If a professor starts to say something that I do not agree with I just do not pay attention to them because I do not want to get mad and say something that could hurt me. Parents do have the most influence over their kids and that is why many kids happen to share the same political views as their parents. This is because that is the environment that they grew up in and this is what they have become accustomed to and what they know.
[Reply]
While I too find the political shows aimed toward young adults, like The Daily Show or The Colbert Report entertaining, it’s a little scary to realize that the majority of young adult voters rely solely on these shows for their source of presidential candidate information. Granted, there are plenty of college students who go above and beyond on the search for information, but the rest of us are just apathetic or too lazy to do any research on our own. So when we watch these shows, we take the (clearly biased) opinions as the gospel truth. I’ve even heard one person say, “Well Jon Stewart is clearly Democratic and Stephen Colbert is obviously Republican, so by watching them both, I can get both sides of the story”….really? Yes, both of them do provide us with some information on each candidate, but they also omit and skew facts to make the show entertaining. They’re on Comedy Central…the point of the shows are to be entertaining, not educational. You’d think by now, being in college and all, we’d come to realize that you can’t always believe what you hear, and you always always always need to get more than one source of information before you form your opinion. TV, the internet, candidates’ websites, parents, friends, debates, professors: these are all good sources of information, yet none of them are full and complete sources. So I’m glad that professors are not swaying the opinions of students, because I don’t believe that any one source of information should have the power to sway a vote. As (hopefully intelligent) students, we need to seek out many different views and opinions, seeing all the possible sides, before forming our own opinions, instead of just being little lambs, following the leader.
[Reply]
I think this post is interesting because I believe that there are several reasons why it seems professors do not seem to sway the opinions of their students.
First off, most students are not conscious. They are unaware of what’s going on in the world. They cannot separate fiction from fact. Most students look for security within what their parents dream up for them. Therefore, most students feel obligated to please their parents. That means valuing what your taught to value, believing what you were raised to believe, thinking what you were programmed to think. Also, once a student has graduated high school and moved on to university, they tend to think they have all figured out. Or, thats what they want everyone else to believe. So trying to sway them becomes nearly impossible.
Secondly, most professors lack the want or need to relate to their audience, their students. It seems most professor have forgotten where they came from and what they were going through at the ages of 18 to 25. Most professor do not care about their students nor do they have the passion to teach. They may be passionate about what their teaching but not who they are teaching it to. In order to teach, you have to be willing to also learn. In order to sway an opinion you have to listen and be willing to have your opinion swayed.
If there was more conversing in the classroom, this wouldnt be a problem.
[Reply]
The blog raises the question “Where are students receiving their information if not from professors?” However for those who are politically challenged are their views shaped by the facts or by their of personal beliefs? Political discussions rarely occurred in my household ,and if they did the conversation barely lasted ten minutes. My parents never enforced their political views upon me and hardly even shared them. To be honest I do not know if they are both democrat or republican; I am assuming democrat. Religious views also remained slightly personal in my family. “If you want to vote then vote” “ If you want to learn more about God, then come to church with me” These were some of their philosophies. No, my parents are not unconcerned about my future nor are they hardhearted parents; they simply respect the fact that I am an individual. They have offered open spaces for me to create my own pathways of beliefs with the assurance of their guidance. Accordingly I am a very open minded individual and believe majority of my views are shaped by my surroundings, race, class, gender, the media, and not parental imposition. Of course everyone goes through the adolescent years where we abide by our parents no matter how bizarre or false the information may be. However at my current age I do not think this is still the case. Children usually branch away from their parents during their years or junior high school; at least I did. Moreover college is where individuals began to thoroughly challenge themselves and others. On the university level I find it difficult to believe that my beliefs are solely a result of my parents beliefs, especially after being exposed to so many different perspectives. This past election I did not vote. “how could you?“ you might ask. My decision was not based on lack of interest or believing my vote would not make a difference, but because I did not follow the election to my utmost. I refused to ballot an ignorant vote.
[Reply]
Political views aside, I think we can all agree with Dr. Richards when he says that both parties are just two sides of the same coin. The election of our first non-old-white-man president is monumental in that it will significantly change the social structure or our country when it comes to race relations, but I doubt it will do much for our nation’s other faults. Every ruling state eventually crumbles, and the government of the United States is no exception. In the future, America will no longer be on top, oppressing those beneath. This can only mean that America will be the oppressed, unless our government stops its entirely capitalistic, profit-driven conduct. A true breakthrough would be a Native American president. The fact that Obama is half black hardly makes him Malcolm X. As cultures and races begin to converge and coexist equally (I’m speaking of blacks and whites in the U.S.), other races will rise and fall through the social strata. When we have the Dalai Lama as president, then I will be impressed. Our country was founded by faithful men, but the constitutional right to practice religion freely does not mean that our government should become some spiritless, money-driven automoton. All that being said, I voted for Barack simply because I knew that just by being elected, he would change things. And it’s about time.
[Reply]
My father told me to always know both sides of a story before making an opinion. He is an avid reader and when it comes to politics, he has always researched both sides to really know all the options out there. So for me, I mostly did listen to him when it came to the election, but he would send me links to research and to read on my own and I always did. His vote was completely against Obama; nothing to do with race, just completely against a lot of his policies. On the other hand my mother would really only send me emails on how Sarah Palin didn’t truly stand for the regular American woman. For example she is completely against the right to choose. So in that sense, she wasn’t for putting McCain in office. But from researching and talking to some friends of mine, I have come to realize that I don’t fall into either category and after discussing it with my dad, he completely agreed with me before I even said what I was going to say and that was that I’m Libertarian and so is he. Now when it comes to listening to what your professors have to say, my dad always said that all of my professors will probably be liberals and sometimes its better not to argue with them since they give out the grades. And being in this class with Sam as the professor I had a completely different college experience. He never told us who he was voting for before the election and always gave examples of both sides when it came to politics. Then the first class after the election he shared his vote, and it was for the Libertarian party and I really smiled inside… and out. And for that, I wish he really had said it before the election. Even though the other parties really don’t have a shot, it opens up people to other parties that they don’t ever think about or know about. I know for a fact that the things said in Soc 119 are always discussed outside the classroom with other friends, parents and students since there is so much to learn… all of it being really interesting. And so possibly after Sam said he voted Libertarian maybe people went out to look that up. With Sam Richards being the professor, I think “Professors Do Not Seem to Sway Student Opinions” counts because Sam will never fit into the stereotypical category with the other professors and I think some people really would have listened to him and maybe voted differently
[Reply]
In my family, things have always been a little different. I guess it really comes down to how families communicate with each other. Many immigrant families, especially from China and India, have high expectations for their children when it comes to getting an education. Now, I’m not saying that other families don’t have that as well, I’m just saying that coming from experience immigrant families tend to hold the value of education very high. In my family, education is everything and without it you’ll get nowhere. I don’t necessarily agree but for the good of the family I go along with it. What I’m trying to get to is that in my family, if I were to learn something in class, whether it be political views or not, chances are my teachers word will probably be stronger than my parents. I only say this because how much my parents value education and teaching. My mom wanted to become a teacher so I’m sure she’s biased in that way, but who isn’t? I do agree that many students these days are not getting their information from teachers or parents, but from the media. But personally, I tend to value the word of a well-rounded teacher over all the bullshit I hear on tv.
[Reply]
Parents and teachers, along with numerous other factors, influence college kids in their ways of thinking and acting. However, I think that although “most” parents may not think as Sam thinks, their opinions do matter. I feel that this opinion is perhaps a bit too harsh as no one is perfect. Both professors and parents will have “good” and “bad” advice to give to their children/students depending on the different situations that they face.
I personally value everyone’s opinion including my parents, family, friends, and professors. However, I am a firm believer that in the end, it is my life and therefore I will live it as I would like to live it, of course to the extent of living legally. Most of the things in your life have to be dealt at least directly by you and not these other individuals (excluding those closest to you).
I feel that everyone can learn a thing or two from everyone else and therefore we should all be open to other peoples’ opinions. Therefore, I can understand why an educator, such as Sam, feels the way he does by posting this to his blog. I mean how many kids truly take his lessons to heart and actually follow through with 100% of his advice such as stop consuming foods that are not “free trade.” However, I feel that individuals will always form their own opinions based on others advice because in the end, it is the individual who lives his or her life and not those giving them advice.
[Reply]
I found this entry very interesting, mainly because I am for and against your point. It is stated that students are not influenced by their professor’s political options, and they are more likely going to follow those of their parents. In a way, this is their background, how they were brought up and what identifies them.
You say that their parents tend to e biased therefore ill-informed, however, there are the exceptions, while professors tend to know more about the subject matter, and you use your self as an example. I say that I am for this point because I agree with you. Teachers tend to me more informed and tend to know more about political issues than peoples parents. You tend to look further than just the candidate and look at what they have to offer so you can make you pick. While for parents, it is mainly about the surface, what they see. Generally speaking, as we know that there are exceptions. They tend to chose candidates based on appearance or similarities that are noticeable rather than in-depth. So therefore, it would be better for a student to be politically influenced by professors.
However, I am also against this point because not all professors are like you, Sam, professors can also be just as biased as parents and then try to influence the student to vote for what they feel is right in their own opinion. So it would probably be better to be influence by something that relates to you or is similar.
So either way, there are advantages and disadvantages. All in all, It is probably better for the student not to be influenced by their parents and professors, they should be me influence to look up on all candidates then they make their pick based on what they believe in.
[Reply]
I think that parents have a large influence on their children on political issues, to a point. Parents have their child’s entire childhood (up until college) to fill their minds with information, how they do this is up to them. They can do it objectively but giving them all the information and tools to make their our decisions or they can impose their own views on them. Either way I think the economic and social background of the parents with always be imposed on the children, which is a large factor in making a political decision. When going to college I think it is a very interesting time for students when it comes to making political decisions. Student’s minds can be easily changed because they have not been stuck in their ways for years and normally are not well informed. The problem is college is also a time for rebellion, whether it is against their parents or their peers and this can also significantly alter their political choice. This is why the role of professors are very important. Professors have the opportunity to inform their students about the political platforms and can objectively spell out both sides. They can tell the students about the long-term effects of the decision of both officers running so the students can make a well-informed decision. Professors can do all this and the student pretty much has to listen, so they can choose whether they when to change their mind on the political parties. Professors have all these opportunities to help inform their students, but they can also use their position of power to influence their student to one side. I have to say I think this happens more often. Currently I am and architecture major and I find that teachers try to make you design a building that they like rather than one you like and this not only makes for an unhappy learning situation, but a one-sided view on design. Therefore I see the current professors as having a choice they can either use their position of power for good or for bad.
[Reply]
I think this post is quite interesting. I never understood why it was that teachers could not give their point of view when it came to political issues. Shouldn’t we be getting as many points of view as we can, gather as many facts as we can, so we can analyze everything and formulate our own opinions? I think so. I also think that by only hearing our parents point of view and their stances on things, no matter how educated they are, we really are not getting enough information to make our own judgments. I think that professors should speak their educated opinions and that students should listen. At least to some degree. I think that we can at least get their ideas and decide what to do with them. We are all supposed to be adults, so we can at least be treated as such.
[Reply]
So Sam, how smart would we be if we let you brainwash us? And how smart would we be if we let out parents brainwash us? or our classmates, or the Daily Show, or Hardball, or anybody/thing? Would you feel fulfilled as an educator if we let you brainwash us? I don’t think you really would. Now, if, as a student, I did go along with everything you said and all of your ideas or any of my other professors, my parents, or classmates or anyone, it would be because I really learned something and I looked into what i was already thinking and sae that it was flawed for my life and growth. But isn’t that what educators want? For their students to hear them and listen to them and take on their views only after thinking deeply about it and knowing within themselves that it’s right for them? That’s how i do things. I hear you say some amazing, poignant, and thoughtful things in class that make a lot of sense, but if your ideas just aren’t right for me, they can be amazing for eternity and I won’t take them on. But jsut about everything you say influences me and that’s what’s important. Everything you say has caused me to think and ask myself, is what I am doing, thinking. etc. right or is Sam’s way the way to go or is someone else’s way the way to go. Usually i do stick with my own notions, habits and ideas, but I reaffirm that that is what is right for me and i learn anew. My mother may feel differently. One of the first things she told me almost 3 years ago was not to let any of the crazy things my professors say influence me or change my values. What she was saying pertained mainly to sex, religion and my values/morals. But then everything she has told me has influenced me and now i share largely the esame values and morals as she does. So have i been brainwashed to the point of no return/ Well no. A few years ago I was sure that sex should be saved for marriage and that i would do things that way. That went out the door over two years ago. A while ago, I was sure that I was a Christian, today I have no clue what religion I am, and to my mother’s dismay, church has begun to bug me. I’m not blaming this on college or my professors or anything. But some things i have heard and seen have influenced my current belief system and ways of moving through life. And i’m sure more thing’s will shape me, but like I said, I won’t go along with anything just because it makes perfect sense. anything can make perfect sense but what is important is if it makes perfect sense for me. It’s like math, i know 2+2=4 but I don’t care until i can prove that it matters to me. if someone told me 2+2=kejrhgfjsdfhvb then it wouldn’t make a difference until i really thought about it and saw how that information would make me feel like a better person. So Sam, I’m sorry if I haven’t become your intellectual mini-me, but know that I learned a lot about myself and the world around me because of your class. One day, i may take on your views, but only if they’re right for me. Until then i’ll just compliment you and say “Dude! you’ve kicked out some awesome things.” I’m happy to have gotten it kicked to. -Ari.
[Reply]
I could definitely understand Sam’s sentiment in being a professor and finding a report in the New York Times that states that students don’t really care what you are saying. I especially think this would be a painful pill to swallow if in fact I was doing work in Sociology such as the work that Sam does where your efforts are conveyed through the change in the minds of the students that you teach. My feelings on this are that from the time you are born you are predisposed to take the advice and believe whatever your parents say. As a child growing up you often didn’t take the time to sift through arguments made by your parents. There was no work done in order to find out what was completely valid and what was not and naturally because of the fact that no one inherently thinks their parents use them as a means to push their own agenda you are always going to be inclined to listen to your parents first and foremost. This theory holds up at least until high school or college where students throw out many of the ideas and instilments that parents worked so hard to push during childhood. Students overwhelmingly move towards making their own decisions such as underage drinking and irresponsible sexual activities. Professors also have a range of clout as far as the minds of students go. Professors often teach students on subjects they are completely unfamiliar with so they have no choice but to blindly learn whatever a teacher teaches. However students still will nick pick at certain issues that may involve a professor’s personal issues or agenda such as their feelings on political issues. So in conclusion I feel that the problem isn’t really that students aren’t listening to what their professors have to say, I feel that the ultimate problem is that students only listen to a little bit of what anyone has to say parents and professors included.
[Reply]
Throughout my life I felt that I have always been well educated. My father has taught me to explore the world through books and literature just as he has. It has paid off well for my father now as a successful President of a company. One day I hope to follow in his footsteps. But the only way I will succeed is by continuing to grow, questioning, and being curious about the world around me. One way that this possible is through the teachings of talented professors at Penn State. Most of my business class teachers have been a part of the working world. They have been financial advisors, managers, and accountants for some of the top firms in the country. To me they are my mentors and will help me enter the world of business with a good head on my shoulders. Throughout the election they provided me with insight I could not find anywhere else. I knew I could trust it. Although I ultimately made my decision on my own I can’t help but think about the people who did not have the opportunity to be in my classes. These people did not know all the facts. It may be true that students do not always listen to wait there teachers say. But I am not someone who will throw away valuable information. I welcome intelligent professional opinions in the classroom as long as they are worthwhile thoughts that benefit the students.
[Reply]
I am a student who is in the media studies major. Having made it through the curriculum it is hard to see where people get their political information. My search for credible sources that are mainstream gets more and more bleak everyday. There is a lot of information out there about politics,and for an educated person who is determined to get through the muck you can find what you are looking for. But for the everyday person the information that is readily available and that people call “news” is appalling. I turned on the news the other day and the hot topic on the news networks was what type of dog Obama would have in the white house, and all I could think to myself is who the hell cares, out of all the issues going on in the world today you found the time and money to waste on talking out what breed of dog the president is going to prefer. I think that professors should talk about politics in their classrooms, that is what college is, an open forum of ideas to further push the knowledge of each student. Students don’t have to agree with their professors opinions, but should at least have a knowledgeable and informed opinion on why they don’t. College is an area that touches on sensitive topics, gets them out and discussed. I praise this professor for stepping up and caring enough to share his opinion with his classes. I am sure that he has students that love him for it and students that can’t stand him standing up on his soap box. Either way his bringing information to them and further setting that student into their own informed opinion on important issues facing this country today.
[Reply]
Our source of information when we are young is our parents. My parents have always been a constant in my life and I turn to them for advice and guidance. Regardless of whether I take it or not they are always there with an opinion.
We grow older, we learn to either value their opinions even more or rebel. College is a time when this comes to the forefront. Learning to be your own person while maintaining a connection to your roots is difficult. Especially if you find yourself questioning those ideas that were rooted in you since you were little. I believe professors have great baring on students and the forming of their opinions, they are reaching students at a time for the most part when they are finally somewhat on their own. This is a critical period where students are impressionable. This gives a lot of power to professors. I value professors that make me think in alternative ways. However, professors must be careful to do so in a non-threatening way. Perhaps introducing a balanced argument and letting students imply things on their own or students will feel their views being criticized. I disagree with the fact that professors can’t sway opinion. I believe they can, or as least make student think for even just a minute, in a way that is not consistent with what they have always known. I like to be challenged, I rarely feel like my ideas and views are placed under a microscope and certain professors try to break down your opinion whether they are just playing devils advocate or not, me about why I really feel the way I do about an issue. Is it because I formed that opinion on my own, heard it from a family member, or television show? One can’t learn if they are not open to another’s point of view. Breaking down the wall that students have built up until college may be difficult as well. If they had strong, opinionated parents like mine, it is difficult to introduce them to new ideas, but at the same time necessary. I have had a few professors that have done such, I often find myself going home at break and trying to introduce those new views to my family, it doesn’t always go well, but at least I feel I have formed an opinion on my own with valuable information and am not agreeing with my parents because I feel the need to. What I have found is that when I try to go home and explain a new view my parents are resistant because they have had their opinions for a much longer amount of time. So overall those professors that end up introducing me to new views make me realize that it is okay to maintain your initial views as long as you have been exposed to the contrary and more so that everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
[Reply]
I would have to disagree with the statement that my teachers have not swayed my political opinions. It was their narrow-mindedness and not their openness, however, that helped me to form my own opinions. Where I grew up, this situation of ‘unbiased teachers, unwavering parents’ was almost the complete opposite. I went to a high school filled with narrow-minded teachers convinced that their political opinions were law, and went home to parents that strongly encouraged me to form my own political views separate from their own.
Up until last year I was not that interested in politics at all. I knew the basics and had my beliefs, but with the government we have had for the past eight years, I did not really see what was all that thrilling. The upcoming 2008 election started to interest me but it was ultimately my 12th grade economics teacher that changed my mind for good. From the moment I stepped into his class I knew we were going to have serious problems. While he claimed he would keep politics out of class and take a non-biased stance on problems, it was clear after the first two weeks he could do neither of these things. And while his derogatory remarks about Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton infuriated me, I did not feel like I knew enough about either of these politicians to take a stand. I will admit that I first went to parents, but they are adamant about me forming my own political views. My father, although he is not a US citizen and therefore cannot vote, is very interested in and informed about American politics. My mother is always open to political discussions but she will never tell me who she has voted for. While I have an idea of what political parties they affiliate themselves with, they are both very strong about me forming my own opinions by myself. I then turned to the next, least-intimidating source: The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. While some may claim that these shows are “not very appealing for the spread of democratic process” I wasn’t quite ready for Cnn yet, and both shows really did help me see the entertaining side of politics. From there I transitioned to Cnn and MSNBC, and now I read The New York Times every day. This level of knowledge has definitely made me a better, more informed person.
While many students have to fight their bigoted and narrow-minded parents, I feel I have had to fight these same characteristics in a number of my teachers. And although I did not exactly enjoy having to sit through their class as they brainwashed those students that were more willing to conform, I feel that teachers have swayed my opinions, maybe just not in the way they had hoped for.
[Reply]
I think it is no secret that kids today develop their political opinions, along with numerous other ways of thinking, based on the political opinions and beliefs of their parents. The so-called typical American child lives with his or her parents for somewhere around 18 years before he or she ventures out into the world. For those 18 years, the strongest influence (whether positive or negative), in my opinion, is that of his or her parents. Most kids, at a young age, look up to their parents, and some even want to grow up to be exactly like them. It is the duty of the parents to raise their children responsibly—to teach them right and wrong, to give them values, and to impose on them moral character. And although different parents take countless varying approaches to raising a child, some succeeding at their duty and some failing, kids in general seem to grow up and turn out the way they do almost directly because of the way they were raised by their parents. Overall, parents have an irrevocably strong influence on their children, whether this is a good thing or a bad thing.
From this, I think it is easy to see why the recent research shows that professors have very little influence on the political opinions of their students. Although college is the ideal time to search for answers, explore new ideas and find out who you truly are and what you really believe, it seems that most college students today have already made up their minds on what they believe—whether or not they know the facts. I presume it to be highly likely that a great percentage of the students who voted this year did so based on whom their parents voted for, without doing any individual research on the topics at hand, or even deeply considering the other candidate. When you turn 18 and you apply for registration to vote, what political party do you mark yourself registered as? I, for one, am the first to admit that I was not educated enough to know what I believed, and I completely based my party affiliation on that of my parents, and it would be hard for me to believe that numerous others did not do the same.
Although this is clearly not the way it should be, it’s the way it is for now. I completely disagree with following any type of belief just because someone else does; yet I can see how difficult it is to simply erase the influence your parents have on you since I myself have followed their views thus far in my life. As a new generation, we need to explore and develop our own unique opinions by allowing our minds to be open to others, especially those who have completed higher education. I know that I have a lot of work to do before I can be confident in what I believe and easily defend everything I think, but at least I know that I realize it.
[Reply]
This is a very interesting topic that I have never really thought about before. For me, I agree with the statement that “the political opinions of professors do not seem to have any influence over the political opinions of students.” Guaranteed some students may follow the political opinion of their professor, but I think it is up to the students to make their own, educated decisions. However, I also believe that it is the professor’s job to inform the students on both sides of the arguments, instead of just giving a biased opinion, therefore allowing the students to create their own opinion with information to back u their reasoning’s. I am sure that at home, students only hear biased opinion form their family and friends, and we need someone to give us truthful information on both sides of the argument, so we look to our teachers. But if our teachers are giving us biased information without reasoning as well, it is hard to make a decision of our own. I was never one to believe something someone told me just because it was coming from an educated person; I always needed a reason to believe that statement or I needed an explanation.
To answer the questions on what students are learning in the classroom if they do not follow their professor’s direction on political concerns, the students are just learning their professor’s opinion. That is why the professor should not just be teaching one side of the argument; they should teach both sides allowing us, as students, to have a mind of our own. Also, a student’s political opinion may not just come for their professor, but from their parents, family, and friends as well. Agreed, some of these people may not be as educated on certain topics as a student’s professor, but some may be just as educated, if not more educated, but we do not know that. As for why it is better or more acceptable for people to follow their parents over their professors, I think it is because one’s parents and family are the people she grew up around. They are the people where one learned their values and morals, therefore basing their decisions off that. And without a doubt, I can say that ones parents and family are more likely to know that person than a professor is.
Everyone believes different things. We are all different people, and trying to make different people believe the same things seems preposterous to me. If we all believed the same thing and thought the same way, we might loose some sense of our own identity.
[Reply]
In response to “Professors Do Not Seem to Sway Student Opinions”, I feel as though professors obviously have an influence on the new information that is given to students, but I do not feel that they sway their political opinions. Students have their own ideas of what events they should participate in, what they should read, and who they should listen to. While it is less likely that students will go read a newspaper or book if they do not want to, they are more likely to listen to a professor who is giving them information. In my opinion, I want to hear a professor’s opinion about politics. My mom voted and picked exactly who she wanted, and in turn she wanted me to vote for the same person. Without giving me any knowledge, it was assumed that I was going to vote for whoever she did. Before going to the voting booth, I decided to gather more information for myself. I did this by searching on my own without the help of anyone. Parents help their children to become who they are, but as stated in the article, “the youth is thrown to the wolves every time they leave home.” Students take away things that their parents taught them, but they still need to make their own decisions when leaving home. I am sure many parents tell their children to do their homework, but I have seen many students at college who decide to drink instead of doing their work. Students are going to choose what they want to do regardless of who is giving them advice. But wouldn’t we rather have the students with more knowledge vote? I have heard so many people say they were going to vote for Obama because he was black, without having anymore information about him. If our professors were to talk more about the election, people will at least vote with some sort of knowledge and not just because they like or can relate to a candidate. When parents give knowledge to their young about a candidate, I definitely feel that it is one sided. They talk great about the candidate they think should win, and do not really say much about the other one. Teachers could provide their students with overall knowledge about both candidates. I honestly think it better for people to think for themselves, rather than listening to their parents or professors, but I definitely think the more knowledge one has the better the decision they can make for themselves. I do agree with many of the other students in the class, when they say our votes are swayed by the media and peers. Students could take in information from teachers, but they will more likely listen to their peers and shows on the television.
[Reply]
I do not believe that professors should impose their political views on their students in the first place. Although the study mentioned shows that college students are not swayed by their professors’ opinions, professors generally are given more credibility than one’s peer when it comes to matters of politics. Therefore, there is more of a possibility that students will be swayed by the views of their teachers; I do not believe that the job of a teacher is to persuade students to believe what they believe. Although it is inevitable for professors to at least subtly hint at their political preferences, it is dangerous for professors to reveal their political affiliation. Students should be trained and encouraged to form their own opinions on political and religious matters instead of adopting those of their parents or teachers. The job of both parents and professors, I believe, is to inform their kids or students of the current nature of politics. They should give their kids the resources and means to develop their own views. If my parents attempt to convince me that one party is better than another or told me how to vote I would probably try and defy them because I don’t like being forced to make certain decisions when it comes to personal preference. In fact, I am probably more likely to be convinced by my professors, if I have developed a liking and trust toward them, than I am by my parents.
Although the study shows that professors have no political influence, I tend to give more credibility to my professors than my parents. That is why teachers’ imposing political views may prevent me from forming of my own opinions and ideas. Such teaching methods do not teach me to go out and research information on my own, but rather to take the opinions of others and decide which one appeals most to me. I agree that professors may be more educated on matters of current events than parents; however, this does not necessarily mean that their attitudes and beliefs are the correct ones.
You said to look past the idea that the classroom should be a neutral environment, but that is an essential aspect to consider about your argument. If parents should not be able to impose their “narrow vision” on their children, professors should not have that ability as well. I know that it is the professor’s job to teach and inform, but that is where the line should be drawn. Students must go out and experience the world on their own, and then come to their own conclusions about politics and current events. Otherwise, we are still being brainwashed, regardless of who it is by.
[Reply]
First off, I resent that people think all students are so politically uninvolved that we should put all our trust in either our teachers or parents. I’m a college kid and I have my own political opinions. I may not read the paper, but that’s a little out of date now anyway. Let’s be real- news websites are where it’s at.
I agree though that many students don’t keep up with current events. I’m not sure if it’s possible for anyone to get through to them though. Sure it’s dangerous to an accepting and tolerant democracy for students to be running around echoing their parents, but to have such a large group of the population uneducated about our government and its actions is dangerous as well. Americans, especially those of my generation, tend to be complacent. Our government does just enough to keep us happy that we don’t feel the need to look into political affairs too closely. Honestly, the only time you really get a stir out of people is when you threaten their guns or raise gas prices. Obviously people have gotten upset about the war, but most of us- unless we know someone overseas, are able to forget that we’re even fighting one.
So, maybe what schools and professors should really be doing is teaching kids about these issues. To be honest, I’ve never taken a class, that’s taught me anything about American politics after the Vietnam War. Why don’t schools require students to look further into the history we’ve lived through? I think that if society wants us to understand the political situation in our country they’d to more to teach us about it. All high school history classes seem to start at the same place- the Revolutionary War, and rarely make it past World War II. Maybe all college freshmen should have to take Recent Politics as a Gen. Ed. Then, if we understood the situation, we could look at it critically, and form our own beliefs, and vote accordingly.
As to why students accept their parent’s beliefs over professors- it may be a trust issue. I don’t know anything about you; why should I trust you to tell me what to believe? At least my parents have clothed and fed me for 19 years. I agree though, there are some parents who shouldn’t be passing on their beliefs. You seem smart and open minded- your attempted brainwashing is noble.
I believe people are good at heart. If we all understood the issues and what the people in the middle of those issues were going through, we’d make the right decisions. Until then we’ll just have to hope that while we sit through lectures about what’s right and wrong with society that some of what we hear will sink in.
[Reply]
Yes, you are well educated on the subject of politics however helping a child shape their opinion on what beliefs and values they hold related to what party they choose to be a part of takes much more work and effort than simply listening to a lecture by your professor. Sure, chances are that a professor especially one that specializes in history or politics would be more informed that a parent although that is making a bold assumption. Who’s to say that parents aren’t informed on the complex issues of today? From their perspective they do inherit the right to pass on their beliefs down to their children, whether you agree with it or not. I do not think there is anything wrong with parents passing on their ideals as long as they allow for the child to look into other religions or perspectives on complex issues. In order for someone to make a knowledgeable decision they must be exposed to all the different viewpoints so that they are fully informed on the topic. By arguing that the professor should teach children what they are to believe in you are leaving out the option to allow the child to make his own decision. Not all people have the same beliefs and values; therefore they are not all going to agree on the same decisions on all complex issues no matter what you teach them.
People should not be told what to believe and what decisions to make according to what their professor thinks, because who’s to say that although well educated professors are not as bias as parents? If everyone were to start voting depending on whoever their professor told them to vote for their personal beliefs about such issues as abortion and what health care system to use would be completely left out. Many issues like those I previously listed do not necessarily have a right or a wrong answer to them; your opinion may weigh on your religious views or where you stand economically and that is not something your professor can answer.
Another reason professors should not be the sole resource that children form their beliefs from is that many professors including Sam Richards have classes reaching sizes of over seven hundred students. How can you argue that professors, especially those with classes of Sam’s size, have the same capacity as parents do to give each child or student a full quality education on complex issues that also gives the person the full personal attention they need to ask questions and come to the best understanding. In conclusion, I do believe that professors specializing on a certain subject are fantastic resources for people to educate themselves and shape their personal opinions around. However, parents are equally as important in helping a child figure out what they believe in because it is the combination of as many resources as are available that can truly guide someone to form concrete decisions that they can stand behind.
[Reply]
As long as students are not afraid to challenge professors’ opinions, I say if a professor wants to share his or her opinions about a topic, go for it. Some students are naive enough to believe everything they hear from a professor simply because they go by Dr. so and so. These students will benefit the most in the long run if opinionated students will stand up and present opposing viewpoints on a subject. This is because students prone to being fickle will be presented with both sides of an argument, and allowed to form beliefs based on others’. This may at first sound as though indecisive students would be stealing the opinions of others, but if they have made it eighteen years without a solid opinion, at least they can sound somewhat educated if asked to express their thoughts on an issue, even if “their thoughts” belong to someone else. That being said, as a whole, I would say most students with opinions previous to walking into the classroom are resistant to changing sides on a given issue because it would take an awful lot of convincing and persuading to make someone change his or her viewpoint about something. When walking into classrooms where professors express themselves, students would just need to filter the truth from the crap, just as if anyone else were sharing beliefs. Some professors will tell it like it is more than others, but it is still a good precaution to do your research and be sure to speak for yourself. As for parents being an unreliable source, I would say as a whole that parents with unreliable facts will produce children with unreliable facts, whether they push their beliefs on their children or not; it is funny how the apple never falls far from the tree. The children who really aspire to be individuals and think for themselves will do the research to form opinions of their own, and the rest probably won’t do much in life anyway. However, some parents happen to be far more educated than professors, and as for their children, they may be better off hearing their parents out on some issues and completely ignoring ignorant professors on others. And once again, if the children of extremely educated people want to learn more on an issue to further his or her knowledge in a given area, they will, and the rest will grow up to be a cut out of mom or dad. So sure, if professors want to share opinions, do it. Some students will become educated from it, others will be encouraged to share their own opinions, while others still we be brainwashed, but what can you do? It is bound to happen somehow.
[Reply]
After reading the article “Professors Do Not Seem to Sway Student Opinions“, I tried to relate it to my personal life and who influenced my political opinions this past election. For the most part, neither my parents nor my professors swayed my decision in voting for President Barack Obama. A few years ago, I was watching an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Obama was there promoting his book, The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream. Since that moment, I became a follower of Obama, despite the fact that there were only minor rumors of his nomination for president. The main aspect that drew me in was how well he spoke getting his message across to the audience. The reason why professors probably weren’t able to persuade me to one person or another is that I only have one semester under my belt.
Throughout my senior year of high school, my government teacher updated us with the presidential campaigns. She was very determined not to get her opinion to influence her students because she believed the best way to vote was through your self-made decision. She presented both parties very well. Expect for her, no other teacher or professor of mine spoke about the presidential process.
My parents actually come from two different sides of the political spectrum. I would have to say that my dad is the most republican as republicans come and that my mom is the most democratic as democratic come. Seeing how my dad acts and believes in politics, I can clearly see my granddad’s influence in him. The two of them attend many republican affairs in our community and have never voted on the left side of the spectrum. With that being said, I think it would be too confusing to listen to their point of views if the two of them do not even agree.
My older sister, who just graduated from Penn State, was probably the biggest influence on my vote, despite Obama himself. She followed him very well and was able to spit out any fact or point of view of Obama’s. Comparing myself to her, I agree with a large majority of her views, so I considered her political decisions very close to heart.
Obama’s campaign was extremely eye catching also in terms of his posters, signs, stickers, etc. As immature as that may sound, those things did catch my eye. All over Penn State’s campus, I saw Obama propaganda everywhere I turned.
Overall, I would not necessarily say that professors should have more say in persuading a student’s views over a parent simply because parents know much more about their own child then a professor knows about their student. Professors and parents may influence many, but looking at the way I choose this past election, which was the first time I could vote, I chose solely on Obama himself.
[Reply]
After reading the article entitled, “Professors Do Not Seem to Sway Student Opinions”, I thought about who helped to shape my political beliefs and values. I believe my beliefs were shaped through my own personal experiences along with the help and guidance of people I’ve encountered. I have listened to many lectures and stories growing up from people older than me, my age, and even those younger than me about their own political beliefs. Furthermore, I have witnessed first-hand many things that have influenced the way I think and what I believe is moral. It is a blend of both these things that have shaped me to believe in what I do today.
The main point of this article was a bit too much. I don’t think that just because one is a professor that he or she should believe that what they think is the “right” way or “only” way. If a professor anywhere thinks this than that is truly ridiculous. No one should force their beliefs on anyone else. A good professor will enlighten his students with his beliefs, share stories about how this came to be, and then leave it up to the student to ultimately decide what he or she thinks to be right. Also, I believe the same thing to be true about one’s parents. One’s parents and guardians should set a good example for their kids. However, they should not enforce their kids to believe in something strictly because they do. They should be a role model for their kids, and then trust them to develop good morals and beliefs. One’s kids will go through different experiences, and therefore will think differently than their parents. It is because of these experiences that causes one to have a different understanding and opinion on topics such as politics, religion, etc. Whose to say that because your view is different than someone else’s that you’re wrong and that you’re a bad person?
With that said, I do in fact believe that professors at Penn State should share their opinions more in class and talk about real world scenarios. I am an Economics teacher at Penn State and not once did we ever talk about the current recession that is going on. This is in fact the biggest concern currently in the United States among the entire population, and not one professor even mentioned it. We did graphs, solved equations, and other economic principles. It is great to learn the basic equations and to talk about supply and demand, but I do believe that we should talk more importantly about what is going on in the world today. I believe that it is the professor’s duty to take a little time out in class and explain a little bit about this every class period.
[Reply]
Before my brother attended Penn State about four and a half years ago, he had the same opinions about politics as my Dad. After his college experience he made a complete turn around. Before college he leaned towards being very conservative. During this past election my Dad and him got into fights about the candidates – he was all for Obama and the liberals, unlike my Dad. Clearly, it was not my parents that caused him to change his point of view overtime. It was more the professors and being at away from home at school is what changed it. As he went into college I always remembered him, politically speaking, as being exactly like my Dad.
I’ve always agreed with my Dad when it came to politics and life in general, just like my brother at first. Although I did not really do my own research, like most kids, I agree with my Dad and only listen to what he has to say; who by the way listens to conservative talk shows daily, obviously he’s a little closed-minded about things like politics and a new black president taking office. When it came time for my first voting experience, I turned to not only my Dad, but also my whole family. I can’t say that I’m not one of those typical kids that don’t look for their parents’ opinions and make them my own. However, I do believe that my opinions are subject to change after my college experience. Ever since it started to get close to moving away to college, my Dad always told me that my whole perspective would probably change. He joked with me and said to try and stay normal and not go down the “dark side”. Although he joked about it, in a way I definitely think he was serious because of how shocked he was to see how different my brother’s prospective on life became. This really makes me think that eventually I will change or at least grasp my very own opinion about politics and life after college.
I understand why you think that students should listen to their professors’ opinions more so than their parents’. Speaking as only a second semester freshman, I came from a high school where teachers were always politically correct. They would not even tell us what political party they were affiliated with. Coming to college was a big difference for me in the classroom. Last semester, teachers said what they felt and weren’t worried about the politically correctness of their lectures. It definitely makes a classroom more interesting and will eventually start to change the opinions of many students depending on the professors. So even if their professors do not influence students now, I believe that eventually they will.
[Reply]
In response to the article, “Professors Do Not Seem to Sway Student Opinions”, I believe that professors directly influence a student’s ability to think to an extent, and therefore affect the way they make decisions about various issues. When a freshman first arrives at college, they really have not had any eye-opening experiences. They are used to seeing the same things everyday and many do not know how to accept change. Some students refuse to accept another’s way of thinking; however, I have noticed that many students are starting to think for themselves.
A professor’s job is to challenge one’s previous beliefs so that he or she can think for himself or herself and develop their own perspective on different issues. In this class particularly, a very serious subject is scrutinized and we are asked to think for ourselves and leave any previous views behind us. I think this is a great way to teach a class about race because many of our parents have entrenched their point of view on race into our heads. I feel that the Baby Boomer generation has a very skewed outlook on race. Growing up, they were influenced first hand with segregation and racism. As a result, our generation is brainwashed by our parents to believe the same way as them concerning segregation and racism. College, however, is a great place because of professors such as Dr. Richards, along with many others at the university, that challenge us daily with important societal issues to develop a belief system for ourselves.
At the same time, however, I seldom have experienced professors trying to voice their opinion on the subject of politics. I think when a professor engages in a political discussion, students tend to stop paying attention because either they have developed a point of view from their own research, or they want to see eye to eye with their parents. Professors are some of the most knowledgeable people out there. However, I think students find it insulting when a professor, or anyone for that matter, challenges their position on politics. To be honest, I am not one that has ever been very active in politics. It has never appealed to me and I have little interest in following all of the various issues over which candidates debate. Due to this and my parent’s great interest and knowledge in politics, I turned to them and asked for guidance on several issues. After they educated me on the candidate’s views regarding the economy, gay marriage rights, and taxes, I decided to vote the same way as them. In my last few years at Penn State, I believe that my outlook on politics will change. My future experiences will allow me to form my own political views and pick a candidate based on issues that will affect my life, not the life of my parents.
[Reply]
After reading the article, Professors Do Not Seem to Sway Student Opinions, I immediately thought about how I develop my political views and opinions. It is very safe to say that parents immensely influence our opinions on politics. What our parents think should only help us shape our opinions and views along with a lot of other things. Other opinions such as our friends, family, churches, and professors all help us build our own political views. They are all pieces to a puzzle that we ourselves must put together.
Depending on the parents, the parents should only propose many different views to the child and let them develop their own sense of being and develop their own views on politics. When thinking of my views on politics, I first think of the teachings of my parents and then think of how I feel about the issues at hand. My parents have voiced there opinions on how they feel about certain political issues, but allow me to disagree with them, and realize that I am my own person. In allowing me to disagree it gives me the opportunity to build my own thoughts, and opinions. I also take into consideration my past experiences and the experiences of others that I have witness to form an opinion on the issue I am facing.
There are many different ways for students to form opinions on politics. With modern day technology we can investigate and research politics on our own. Now there is no excuse not to be informed on the politics and the issues of the world. We now have the internet in which gives us access to an infinite amount of information. If students but take the initiative to learn about and research politicians and there views, they can form educated views on politics. With this students can choose to believe who they want to believe, if a professor says something they want to adopt as there own belief that is their choice. If they want disagree, that is good as well. No one should sway anyone’s opinion, but broaden their knowledge on politics.
I feel that it is very wrong to tell a professor not squelch their feelings and views on politics. The professors may have a bit more information and experience on the issues in politics. These views and opinions can greatly help students form there own opinions. By the time we get into college, we pretty much have our own sense of being and own stances on politics. Therefore no one should be able to “sway” our opinions, but help to our expand knowledge. It is left up to the students whether they take into consideration the political views of their professors. I feel as though, professors should be able to voice their opinions, it is up to the students to take the information and use it or leave it.
[Reply]
senda covering streaminto transforms interface enhancement adjusts antecedents punches province parcellated sion
[Reply]
ubiquitous mriknuksa stability ecostudio singapore guindy protease congresses gpoaccess grace popular modelvisual
[Reply]
htmlleiter natl stating purchases slices networked krippendorff watson zook hcards models
[Reply]
payroll fang cmpi opinions relied krippendorff assent associate tanzania rage fall
[Reply]
Good read, thanks. Always looking out for weird and wonderful stuff to read
[Reply]
delaware expense dirty bearing documents dreamlab mentorship finances relatives framing provost
[Reply]
older ratesor capitalism endeavour connectors pitfalls usedhuge receptions kdksa teenlinks metastases
[Reply]