“The Coddling of the American Mind.”
In the past twenty years student life in American universities has changed drastically. Division within student body has become more obvious and forceful. Likeminded students who share either cultural backgrounds or points of view create strong ideology camps. If there is an attack on the camp even in a very slight and insignificant form the reaction is extremely hostile. Terms like microaggressions and trigger warnings describe such emotional responses. This behavior when exaggerated stimulates distorted thinking of college students. One should practice cognitive behavioral therapy to minimize such thinking.
For American to compete in today’s world when they enter the global workforce they should have thick skin. By embracing an idea of “emotional reasoning” universities do a great disservice[1] to their students. There are many examples of absurd oversensitive reactions of students and university boards. It is very easy nowadays to say “I am offended” and portray yourself as a victim. There is always going to be a camp in academic circles which will support the victim due to their joint interest and respond unreasonably with emotion. Even if the speech is not objectively offensive, the definition of sexual harassment, as it is provided by the Department of Justice and Education, includes verbal conduct that is merely “unwelcome”.  As a result emotional reasoning is now accepted as evidence in sexual harassment cases and discrimination cases based on sex, race, religion, and national origins. Moreover, according to Strossen a Professor of Law at New York Law School “the government itself through the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights has forced schools, by threatening to pull federal funds, even well-endowed schools like Harvard, to adopt sexual misconduct policies that violate many civil liberties.[2]” This should not be the case as universities and colleges should not directly or indirectly propagate political and/or religious interests and should be free arena for discussions.
Ultra-sensitivity in academia has become a norm. Protecting people from being traumatized has become a moral obligation for the entire community on campus. Many Universities have adopted a policy to screen syllabus for trigger warnings. Even students ask professors to avoid discussing issues that may involve trigger warnings in order to protect themselves and their classmates from potential distress. The easiest way for faculty to stay out of trouble is to avoid material that might upset the most sensitive students in the class. However, it has been proven that it is best for people with anxiety disorders to face their fears.
Before entering colleges and universities young adults live with parents and less likely experience emotional discomfort because parents naturally protect and shield their children from words, ideas, and people that might cause trauma. After leaving their parents homes, in most cases, for the first time they expect to enter the real world. However, universities do not offer these young adults a true real life experience where there no restrictions on freedom of speech. On the contrary colleges continue to protect them in the similar manner as by their families. This should not be happening as a plant grown in a tent will hardly survive in an outside environment. Higher education schools serve as trampoline for young adults to choose their career paths and to enter the workforce as competent, adequate people as older adults.
Universities should foster unrestricted, open minded discussions, and behavior within ethical norms. This type of environment traditionally has been the engine of academia. Class settings without limitations drive students and professors to be engaging and proactive which in turn brings progress. By having these limitation American universities more and more resemble Soviet or Chinese style schools which hamper critical thinking. When in fact embracing critical thinking and freedom of speech is what differs American Universities and makes them attractive to students from all over the world. Â To maintain the same high standards ideas, thoughts, and opinions should flow at liberty: for keeping the engine working and to provide proper environment for the academia to thrive.
[1] Russians would say “to offer a bear service.”
[2] Friedersdorf, Conor. “How Sexual Harassment Policies Are Diminishing Academic Freedom.” The Atlantic. Web. 20 Oct 2015.
