From Joy to Concern: Watching My Youngest Graduate into a Narrower World

This May marked a bittersweet milestone: my youngest child graduated from college, bringing to a close a significant chapter not only in her life but in our family’s journey as well. Watching her cross the stage, I felt a powerful mixture of pride, nostalgia, and an unexpected wave of concern. She, like myself 33 years ago, is the last of her siblings to complete her college education. Reflecting upon my own graduation in May 1992, I am struck by just how profoundly the experience has changed—from a day overflowing with hope, pride, and excitement about the limitless possibilities ahead, to one tinged with anxiety, dread, and deep apprehension about the future our children are stepping into.

Commencement ceremonies used to symbolize an empowering leap forward, an entry into a world brimming with possibility, innovation, and open dialogue. It was a moment to reflect upon achievements and anticipate future challenges with optimism. Today, however, the atmosphere is markedly different. Instead of being inspired and encouraged to engage in robust debate and diverse thinking, students find themselves navigating an educational landscape where thoughts, ideas, and even beliefs seem preordained by those entrusted with shaping their minds.

Modern universities, once havens for intellectual exploration and critical discourse, appear increasingly invested in controlling narratives. Our future business leaders, entrepreneurs, and social influencers are subtly—and sometimes overtly—guided on how to think, feel, and act. There’s a disturbing emphasis on conformity rather than critical thought, compliance rather than curiosity. This shift is not just unsettling—it undermines the very principles of higher education.

I’ve watched as my daughter, a bright, inquisitive, and insightful individual, encountered resistance when she dared to introduce alternative perspectives in her classes. Her experiences were not unique. Students who challenge the prevailing viewpoint frequently find themselves rebuffed, marginalized, or ostracized. Education, ideally, should involve the exploration of all sides of a topic, even those that are uncomfortable or unpopular. However, the reality she faced was a far cry from this ideal. Discussions that could have been enlightening were often prematurely shut down, leaving students hesitant to speak up for fear of social repercussions or academic retaliation.

I remember my own graduation clearly—the sense of pride and hope shared by my peers and myself. Our professors encouraged us to debate fiercely and disagree passionately. Yet, we emerged richer from those experiences, not poorer. The strength of our education lay in its openness, its tolerance for differing opinions, and its encouragement of independent thought. The ability to hold civil debates, critically assess opposing views, and arrive at informed opinions was a cornerstone of our education. Thirty-three years later, the stark contrast is disheartening.

Higher education today often feels more like indoctrination than enlightenment. Rather than preparing young adults to face a diverse world, colleges frequently shelter students from opposing views. The result is a generation ill-prepared to handle disagreement or dissent in the workplace or society. This approach ultimately serves no one, least of all the students who graduate into a world far more nuanced and complex than their university experience suggested.

As parents and community members, we must question and challenge this shift. It is our responsibility to advocate for an educational system that values intellectual diversity as much as cultural diversity, one that prioritizes dialogue over dogma. Our children, as future leaders, deserve environments that cultivate not just compliance, but creativity and courage to stand apart. They should graduate feeling confident in their ability to navigate differing perspectives rather than fearing them.

My daughter leaves college equipped with her degree, resilience, and an acute awareness of the complexities she will face. While proud of her accomplishments, I am also concerned for her generation’s preparedness to engage with a diverse world filled with contrasting viewpoints. It is my hope—and a challenge for all of us—to strive for a return to true academic freedom, where challenging discussions and differing perspectives are celebrated rather than suppressed. Only then can commencement once again fully embody its promise as a launching point into a future filled with genuine possibility, innovation, and open-minded dialogue.