“Not to be a republican at 20 is proof of want of heart; to be one at 30 is proof of want of head.”

This quote, made famous by Francois Guizot, a French historian, orator and statesman, is making a reference to individuals’ beliefs about socialism and liberalism over time at different ages. I feel as though young people are often more naive — they believe that anything and everything is possible. But as they grow older, they grow more cynical — they hold a tighter grasp on what possibilities are and are not realistically obtainable.

Universities around the nation seem to be comprised of many students who support liberal ideologies, at least according to some sources. There are several signs that point toward universities being more liberal than conservative.

A study conducted by UCLA’s Higher Education Research Institute found that 71.3 percent of college freshmen entering four-year universities across the nation supported same-sex marriage in 2011, an increase from 2009 when the same study identified support for legalizing same-sex marriage to be 64.9 percent. The study in 2011 also showed that 60.7 percent of college freshmen believe abortion should be legal.

Although these are only two of many societal issues Americans are facing today, they are often the most hotly-debated and controversial. But to assume that majority liberal support for just two societal issues means that all college students are becoming more liberal would be a vast generalization. 

There are clearly other influences and other aspects of society — aside from same-sex marriage and abortion — that are coming into play here. The most notable being the curriculum that many college students are engaged in: liberal arts and sciences.  

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the largest college here at the University. There are more than 60 academic units within the college with majors that range from Philosophy to Anthropology. The goal of studying in a liberal arts field is to gain analytical, critical thinking and communication skills.

At its beginnings in ancient Greece, studying liberal arts subjects was considered essential in providing citizens with the necessary skills to be active participants in society. “Liber” is Latin for free. So, in a sense, studying liberal arts was a way of freeing your mind and distinguishing yourself from slaves who were denied education to allow them to be free-thinkers.

Many things have changed since the ancient times but some have not. 

There are many more subjects included in liberal arts and sciences, but the idea of liberating one’s mind to the ideologies of making a better society isn’t just prevalent, but it’s also encouraged by the University just by offering a wide variety of liberal arts and sciences majors.  

And, this is not exclusive to students in LAS. General Education requirements by the University mandate students to take courses that fulfill certain specific areas of study such as Humanities and the Arts and Social and Behavioral Science.

College students generally are young and open to new ideas. Freshmen just left their parents’ homes and now live on their own. If there is ever a time to start exploring new philosophies and forming new ideologies, the time is now. 

And many of the enticing ideas today — such as not denying individual’s health care based on pre-existing conditions and allowing all individuals the right to marry — are contributing toward a more egalitarian society.

At this University, we are taught to be respectful of other’s opinions in the classroom, and hope that we conduct ourselves accordingly outside of the classroom in society. No student should feel inferior to another student. The University’s nondiscrimination statement includes helps foster an inclusive environment by having no tolerance for discrimination based on race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, etc.

With that being said, perhaps it’s not only the curriculum causing students to lean further left, but our society as a whole that is moving toward a more progressive nation. 

But allow me to go back to Francois Guizot’s quote. 

I am a college student who is hopeful for the future. This University has taught me to be understanding of other cultures and accept viewpoints that are not my own. It has also taught me to strive for greatness and to believe in achieving a better tomorrow with ideas of a society that is free of discrimination and accepting people of all backgrounds.

Right now I’m still young in my early ‘20s. I still believe that my future holds endless possibilities. But I’m not entirely independent; my parents still support me financially. 

Once I start living on my own and supporting myself, maybe I’ll come to realize that there are some possibilities I foresaw in my youth that aren’t as realistic as I once thought they were.

Thaddeus is a senior in LAS. He can be reached at [email protected].