Regardless of one’s political affiliation, I think most of us can agree that the events unfolding in our nation the past few weeks are disturbing. I personally have had to turn off the television news in an effort to clear my mind of the distress I feel when watching the protests – or in some cases, riots – that are taking place on campuses throughout the country.
1 – FREE SPEECH
Free speech is upheld as perhaps the most important fundamental principle of our democracy and the foundation of American independence. Established within the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, free speech is acclaimed as a treasured right that guards an individuals’ entitlement to voice their viewpoints, positions, and beliefs without having to fear government suppression or punishment. The definition of free speech is – incredibly – apparently subject to interpretation.
The concept of free speech seems that it would be simple – individuals are free to express opposing opinions without fear of intimidation, oppression, or harassment. The First Amendment, confirmed in 1791 as part of our Bill of Rights, unequivocally prohibits Congress from enacting any laws that would curtail the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, religion, assembly, and petition. The Supreme Court has determined that certain categories of speech that are not protected. These would include defamation, incitement to violence, and hate speech directed at inciting imminent lawless action. What we are now facing in these college protests are clearly in violation of all these.
2 – THE RIGHT TO VOICE AN OPPOSING OR UNPOPULAR OPINION
The right to assemble and protest is being protected – for some – but the right to voice an opposing opinion, to feel safe and not in danger of being violently attacked for one’s religious beliefs is not. Clearly there is institutional indoctrination and peer pressure at work. And it is apparent that there is a desperate need for young people to feel it is safe to form their own opinions, to think for themselves. To voice their opinion, even if it is different.
The rise of the internet and social media has transformed the landscape of free speech, presenting new challenges and complexities. Online platforms now serve as public forums, allowing individuals to voice their opinions and engage in debate globally. All well and good, but due to the lack of regulation of the internet there are legitimate concerns regarding the spread of misinformation, harassment, and radical extremism. Not to mention doxing individuals whose opinions don’t please radical leadership. There is a lot to be concerned about, and I won’t attempt to persuade anyone to come around to any particular political viewpoint. Lord knows, there are enough talking heads on television and social media attempting to do that. Rather than that, I feel this is a good time to address some underlying issues and offer some food for thought. I have previously posted articles about mentoring, and how both parties, the mentor and the mentee, can benefit. I stressed the importance of encouraging younger people to think for themselves, which is, in my opinion one of the most important things a young person can learn in today’s world.
3 – OVERCOMING PEER PRESSURE / THINKING FOR YOURSELF WITHOUT FEAR
Young people, particularly those in their teenage years, are experiencing a critical time in their lives. A time when they are transforming from children into adults and dealing with all the responsibilities that come with the process. Along the way, they go through a number of physical, psychological, and emotional changes. They begin to think, feel, and act differently as their beliefs and values change along with their individual sense of identity.
An essential skill for navigating their way through this complicated time is the capacity to think for oneself. Teenagers and young adults who possess the ability to think for themselves despite peer pressure and/or institutional indoctrination are much better able to function autonomously and make decisions based on critical thinking. We can better serve in our roles as mentors by examining strategies and methods to employ as we encourage younger people to think independently. It is our job to inspire them to work through challenges with self-assurance and inner strength.
Thinking for yourself goes way beyond just having your own opinions. It entails the ability to evaluate information, question pre-conceived beliefs, take other perceptions into account, and make choices based on your own judgment rather than instinctively obeying others. In other words, knowing WHY you hold a particular opinion. Thinking for yourself is not an easy skill to develop. You must train yourself, practicing it at every opportunity until it becomes a default habit. As mentors, we can help by offering our support, encouraging young people to feel safe and at liberty to express themselves openly.
4 – QUESTION EVERYTHING
An inquisitive outlook is the driving force for those aspiring to be independent thinkers. When we as mentors encourages teenagers to ask questions, investigate previously overlooked ideas, and “think outside the box” we inspire and stimulate intellectual growth and creativity.
Mentors, educators, and parents – we all play a crucial role in cultivating an inquisitive nature in our mentees by directing them to a wide variety of available resources, including people who are in a position to be of help. What better way of building confidence than coaching a younger person in the art of approaching others, introducing themselves and asking permission to “pick their brain”? Once the initial shyness – or call it fear – of breaking the ice with a stranger is overcome, they will be blessed with the ability to initiate a dialogue and open themselves to learning from people who possess expertise they seek. And forge friendships and connections in the process. Parents, educators, and mentors play a pivotal role in fostering curiosity by providing access to diverse resources, encouraging open dialogue, and nurturing a mindset that embraces learning as a lifelong journey.
5 – IT IS OK TO THINK FOR YOURSELF
Critical thinking is the cornerstone of forming independent beliefs and opinions. It involves analyzing information, evaluating evidence, and forming well-reasoned judgments. Teaching teenagers how to question assumptions, identify biases, and differentiate between verifiable facts and uninformed opinions equips them with the tools to navigate an increasingly complex world. Engaging adolescents in discussions that encourage them to challenge conventional wisdom and think critically about societal norms fosters intellectual independence.
Self-reflection is key to understanding yourself and your own viewpoints, feelings, and reasoning. Encouraging teenagers to reflect on their personal experiences, beliefs, and core values can help them develop a sense of their own individual identity and self-sufficiency. In a word – confidence. Quiet reflection, meditation, and journaling are beneficial for some people, helping to provide a means for adolescents to examine their inner thoughts and develop a deeper awareness of themselves.
6 – LEARN FROM MISTAKES
Failure is an unavoidable part of the life-long learning process. You never outgrow it. We as mentors need to encourage our mentees to accept failure as a natural and valuable part of all successful endeavors. Doing so cultivates inner strength, mental toughness, and tenacity. Instead of thinking of failure as something to be feared, they should be encouraged to look upon a setback as only a temporary obstacle – by no means a reflection of their worth – but a chance to learn and grow. Such an outlook will assist young people in developing the confidence needed to take risks and doggedly chase their objectives.
7 – HAVE AN OPEN MIND
To become an independent thinker, it is important to have an open mind. You must be willing to consider new ideas, new viewpoints without predispositions or preference. If you’ve lived long enough to be a mentor, you are no-doubt aware that this is easier said than done. Teaching a teenager to look at life with an open mind encourages compassion and patience. Exposure to various assorted points of view and opinions broadens perspective and encourages acceptance and inclusivity. I expect this is one of those cases where most of us have to learn it as we teach it. These are not traits that come naturally. You don’t learn them once and they stick with you forever. They must be developed and cultivated throughout a lifetime.
8 – THE FREEDOM COMES WITH RESPONSIBILITY
Autonomy is a two-edged sword. You you’re your own independent choices and in so doing, take full responsibility for them. With power comes responsibility. Empowering young people to make their own decisions, to solve their own problems, requires them to take ownership of their lives and implants a sense of self-worth. Mentors, teachers, and parents can support independent thinking and decision-making by offering leadership – no, that’s not the word I’m looking for here – support and advice (when asked) while stepping back and allowing adolescents the autonomy to make their own choices and learn from/live with the consequences.
Providing a supportive atmosphere is a crucial factor in cultivating independent thinking in teenagers. Parents, educators, mentors and peers all play important parts in providing support, encouragement, and constructive evaluation. By nurturing a culture of mutual respect, trust, and open interaction, young people feel emboldened to express their views and develop the self-confidence to become lifelong free thinkers.
Helping teenagers and young adults accept the concept that it is ok to think for themselves is a complex undertaking that will require patience, assistance, and commitment.
Conclusion
By encouraging a sense of curiosity and encouraging independent thinking – in general promoting autonomy – we as mentors can empower adolescents to navigate life’s trials with justified confidence and inner strength. When it’s all said and done, our objective is to equip our mentees with the skillset and conviction they need to succeed as independent thinkers in an ever-changing world.