It is not breaking news to note that a large portion of young Americans support socialism.
Late last year, an Axios-Generation Lab poll of U.S. college students found that 67 percent had a positive or neutral association with “socialism” and 34 percent had a positive or somewhat positive view.
Another poll, conducted by Rasmussen Reports and The Heartland Institute, found that nearly 60 percent of likely voters aged 18 to 24 want a democratic socialist to win the White House in 2028.
Shortly after these polls were taken, young voters proved their allegiance to socialism when they overwhelmingly voted for democratic socialist mayoral candidates in New York City and Seattle.
Did you know that 75 percent of Millennials and Gen Z voted for democratic socialist Katie Wilson in the Emerald City and 78 percent for democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani in the Big Apple?
Now that socialism has a toehold in big cities on both coasts, it is not wise to sit back and hope for the best. Being patient and prudent at this point is perilous.
Rather, it is time for our parents and public schools to do the responsible and right thing by teaching the next generation of Americans the truth about socialism.
I mention both parents and the public school system because the aforementioned Rasmussen/Heartland poll also found that more than half of 18 to 39-year-olds said that their parents or guardians and teachers or professors had a favorable or somewhat favorable view of democratic socialism.
As a former high school history teacher, I am not surprised at all that most young people assume their teachers support socialism. During my several years in the classroom, I would say that probably 80 percent of my colleagues in the social studies department were simpatico with socialism to at least some degree.
Recommended
On countless occasions, I was dismayed to hear students parroting socialist cliches they heard from teachers who should know that socialism is evil and has failed everywhere it has been implemented.
Sadly, I doubt these misguided social studies teachers will have an epiphany and come to realize that socialism is a scourge, not a solution.
With that being the case, I think the best method to combat the concerning rise of socialism among America’s youth is for states to ensure that public schools teach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about socialism.
Last year, Florida did just that.
In November 2025, the Florida Board of Education approved “new History of Communism standards” to equip “students with a truthful, in-depth understanding of how communist ideologies suppress individual freedoms, abuse power, and inflict widespread suffering.”
“With the resurgence of communist ideologies across the United States and throughout the world, it is more important than ever for students to understand the catastrophic failures and human suffering caused by communist regimes,” Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas said.
“Florida’s new History of Communism standards will ensure that students learn the truth about the brutal realities of life under communism and gain a deeper appreciation for the blessings of liberty that define our nation,” he added.
So far, the Sunshine State is leading the charge when it comes to teaching students the truth about socialism. A few other states, like Arizona, Oklahoma, and Texas, are considering bills that would basically do the same thing.
While this is a good start, there is much more work to be done. I hope that more states wake up to the fact that their public schools are basically brainwashing an entire generation to become socialists.
For far too long, state boards of education have turned a blind eye as radical teachers have infiltrated classrooms and spread socialist ideology to susceptible students.
Vladimir Lenin once said, “Give me just one generation of youth, and I'll transform the whole world.” By this, he meant that for socialism to spread, it is incumbent to indoctrinate the youth.
In America, socialist indoctrination in public schools must cease before it is too late.
Chris Talgo (ctalgo@heartland.org) is editorial director at The Heartland Institute.
Editor’s Note: Do you enjoy Townhall’s conservative reporting that takes on the radical left and woke media? Support our work so that we can continue to bring you the truth.
Join Townhall VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member