Worldview Warfare: What’s Shaping Your Kids Without You Knowing
The Real Problem Isn't Just Public School
“Education was not about independent thought—it was about social control.”
— John Taylor Gatto, “The Underground History of American Education”
Bullying, peer pressure, LGBTQ+ propaganda, compliance, obedience, do what you are told, no matter who is telling you. Education is quite troublesome these days. And, it has been for a while. Many people choose homeschool, private schools, charter schools, or look for the “better schools” where they live.
And, you are right to.
The problem is this: The system is, well, systemic… It is more complex than where you send your child to obtain their education. You want things to be different. You are serious about your faith, and committed to raising your children rightly. You set boundaries, are involved in their curriculum, and regularly attend services. But, the structure of our culture is based on more than a single point. There are layered agendas that have been purposefully set in motion to target children.
Recent research sources show that between 64% and 80% of children raised in families proclaiming faith abandon that faith when they leave home
I am sure no one reading this wants that result. So, mom and dad, what to do? If this is NOT the result we are looking for, what is the plan and steps we need to take? I always like to start with understanding how we got here, and what the big picture is that is affecting the situation.
How We Got Here
Prior to America adopting compulsory education, many small townships, and individual families, educated their children following the Classical Education model. This was the primary model of education in the Western World for centuries. More on Classical Education in future articles…
So, compulsory education started in the 1960’s and 1970’s, correct? Because America in the 1950’s and before was much better, as we are romantically told.
Nope.
What the Prussian Model Actually Taught
A man by the name of Horace Mann was incredibly influential in changing the way children in the United States were taught. Two things about Mann: Mann was a non-sectarian, and also advocated for modeling compulsory education on the Prussian model of education.
Oh, this took place between 1837 and 1870.
We, as a nation, have adopted and followed this model since then. What exactly was this Prussian model of education then?
Compulsory Education: Laws were enacted making schooling mandatory for children.
State Funding: Public schools began receiving state support to ensure a standardized level of education.
Standardized Curriculum: A consistent curriculum was developed, supported by professional teacher training in "normal schools".
Structured Grade Levels: Students were organized by age and ability into separate grades.
The Prussians developed their system to create a base of very compliant soldiers who followed orders without question. Their military prowess was famous, and this was the system they developed to perpetuate it. Mann, influenced by secular (anti God in schools) thought, and seeing industrialization taking hold of the world, saw an opportunity to create a culture with similar values. This was willingly adopted by America to produce efficient workers and compliant citizens—not free thinkers or grounded believers. These new values, and task oriented outcomes were encouraged, while values of faith, logic, critical thinking, and family centric influences were challenged.
And replaced.
Replaced Indeed
The family, instead of being central to raising children, following their faith and family values that were passed on for generations, found itself dislodged as the primary influence on children. Parent’s wisdom and virtue have been supplanted by compliance, testing, and punctuality.
And, as a result our culture has been fundamentally changed by this. Even outside public schools, the entire society (media, institutions, workplaces) has been shaped by this system. Conformity, fragmented identity, lack of biblical literacy or discernment is the clear and growing result. So many of us, and almost everyone we encounter have been educated and affected by this system. Schools, media, and entertainment reward docile submission and information regurgitation over wisdom or moral formation. Not to mention belief in God.
It shows.
Signs It's Still Shaping Your Home
I can FEEL it. Some parents are smugly thinking, “yes, but WE educate by homeschool/private/charter/Montesorri… Choose your model. Any of these does not automatically remove these influences:
Curriculum is often modeled on the same “grade-level” system.
Parents may unknowingly reproduce academic-first vs. worldview-first habits.
Kids absorb worldview from peers, media, and digital culture more than textbooks.
Many churches also follow cultural norms rather than scriptural formation.
Am I attacking you and your choices? Nope. But, I am wanting to poke the proverbial bear in you just enough to get you to look at what you are doing and apply some of that very important Critical Thinking.
Some questions for you: Do you over emphasise grades and testing? Does academic achievement take precedence over character and heart formation? Does your child encounter fragmented learning without biblical integration?
Add media they see and hear, who their friends are, and device use—and the influence multiplies.
Worldview Isn't Just Taught—It's Absorbed
How we do anything is how we do everything. And, your kids are sponges. They’re watching how we live. They learn far more from what we prioritize and practice than what we say.
You may teach Scripture at breakfast—but do your rhythms, conversations, and media habits reinforce it?
They’re being discipled every day—by someone. Is it you, or YouTube?
“Discipleship is happening every day—it just depends on who’s doing the discipling.”
— Voddie Baucham
Agendas
I have told clients, students, everyone has an agenda. One of the first things to do is to find out what the agenda is that you are encountering.When you understand the agenda(s) you are facing, you can form a plan and determine the best course of action to take.
There are significant and purposeful agendas targeting you and your family. Let’s reiterate - I hate fear.I do not want you to be fearful and helpless in the face of these things. I want you and your family to be aware and capable. This is my agenda. I know that your family, and mine, can make a huge difference in the future of our children’s lives. We can give them a very different education, worldview, and understanding, to allow them the opportunity to not only affect, but enact real change in our culture. Family centered, and following our Faith.
Takeaways
Compare and contrast.
A disconnected family. Compliant children. Adults pursuing childhood perpetuated. Apathy and nihilism rule culture, and future generations. Faith is abandoned for the pulpit of entertainment and distraction.
Or,
A family with belief in God as its foundation. Children educated by standards that have always focused on forming capable adults. Individuals capable of forming reasoned thought based on logic, timeless knowledge and wisdom. Service and humility become much more the norm. The pursuit of the good, the true, and the beautiful are chosen over temporary and empty indulgences.
This is my vision and hope for the future. I cannot in any way do this alone. I fiercely believe in this, and can only do this with your involvement and help. Join me.
The How We Got Here Series
This is part one in what will become a foundational and long lasting series. I want to dive head first into the topics and ideologies that have shaped our culture, and are directly opposing our families. First, through knowledge and understanding, can we become capable and proactive in facing these agendas and institutions.
I would absolutely appreciate your feedback. Please, let me know if you have any additional thoughts that we can all learn from. Families, even in the midst of these forces of opposition, are still together, and facing this world. It is a reflection of the order and creation that God made. I am very honored that you have taken the time to engage with this.
Be encouraged and strengthened! Have faith in God.
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Research Resources:
Gatto, John Taylor. The Underground History of American Education
Baucham, Voddie. Family Driven Faith
Eakman, Beverly K. Cloning of the American Mind
Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death
Barna Group research on biblical worldview decline (especially in Gen Z)
