In recent years, a growing number of young Americans have turned toward socialism, drawn to its promises of equity and systemic change. This shift, exemplified by the rise of figures like New York City’s Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Kwame Mamdani, a self-proclaimed member of the Democratic Socialists of America, reflects a deeper disillusionment with the American Dream. Many young people, watching their parents toil tirelessly only to face economic stagnation, attribute their struggles to a system they see as rigged by “Big Government” and corrupt politicians. Critics argue this trend stems from a deliberate transformation of America, driven by educational indoctrination and the erosion of the traditional family unit, into a nation the Founding Fathers would scarcely recognize.
The American Dream: A Fading Promise
The American Dream—once a beacon of opportunity, promising prosperity through hard work—has become a hollow fantasy for many. Millennials and Gen Z have witnessed their parents’ struggles with stagnant wages, skyrocketing healthcare costs, and unattainable homeownership. A 2018 report from the Brookings Institution highlighted the challenges, noting that over 50 million Americans live in economically distressed communities with declining job opportunities and limited capital for growth. For young people, the dream their parents chased feels like a mirage, snatched away by policies that seem to favor corporate interests and political elites over working families.
This frustration is palpable in places like Newark, where former mayor and current U.S. Senator Cory Booker described efforts to revitalize the city’s economy, only to see persistent poverty and unemployment linger in many communities. The perception that hard work no longer guarantees success has fueled resentment toward a system young people view as broken.
Indoctrination in Education: Shaping Young Minds
Critics argue that America’s education system plays a significant role in steering youth toward socialist ideals. A 2020 article from The Heritage Foundation claimed that public schools have become “indoctrination factories,” where teachers promote collectivist principles over the individualism championed by America’s Founders. The article cites examples of curricula that downplay the nation’s founding principles, portraying historical figures like George Washington as flawed or morally reprehensible rather than heroic.
A 2018 Gallup poll found that 51% of Americans aged 18 to 29 view socialism positively, compared to only 45% with a favorable view of capitalism. This shift is attributed partly to educational environments where, as one former teacher claimed, students are taught to prioritize societal conformity over independent thought. The Washington Post reported on a case where a student’s shift to liberal views after attending a progressive school sparked family tension, raising questions about whether indoctrination occurs at school or home. Such stories highlight a growing divide, with critics arguing that schools are shaping young minds to reject the free-market values of the Founders in favor of collectivism.
The Decline of the Family Unit
The breakdown of the traditional family unit is another factor driving disillusionment. Stable families have historically been a cornerstone of American society, fostering values of self-reliance and community. However, rising divorce rates, single-parent households, and economic pressures have strained family structures. The Heritage Foundation argues that cultural shifts, influenced by what it calls “cultural Marxism,” have undermined the family by promoting ideologies that prioritize state intervention over familial bonds.
Young people growing up in fragmented families often face economic and emotional instability, making the socialist promise of a government safety net more appealing. The New Yorker noted that the excesses of capitalism, such as the 2017 GOP tax bill favoring the wealthy, have fueled support for figures like Bernie Sanders, who advocate for policies like universal healthcare and affordable housing. For many, socialism offers a vision of security that the fractured American Dream no longer provides.
A Socialist Mayor in New York
The election of Zohran Kwame Mamdani as New York City’s Democratic mayoral nominee in June 2025 underscores this trend. Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo in the primary, positioning him to potentially become the city’s second DSA mayor since David Dinkins. His platform, which includes policies aimed at addressing inequality and housing affordability, resonates with young voters who feel betrayed by the status quo.
Mamdani’s rise reflects a broader movement. A 2019 Pew Research Center survey found that while Republicans view socialism negatively, majorities of Democrats see it positively, associating it with fairness and generosity. This generational divide is evident in the enthusiasm for socialist policies among young people, who see leaders like Mamdani as offering solutions to the economic and social challenges their parents faced.
A Transformation the Founders Wouldn’t Recognize?
Critics argue that this shift toward socialism represents a deliberate transformation of America, diverging from the vision of the Founding Fathers. The Heritage Foundation contends that the Founders, like James Madison and George Washington, believed in limited government and individual liberty, viewing human nature as imperfect and requiring checks on power. They argue that modern policies expanding government control—such as increased regulations or proposals like the Green New Deal—betray these principles.
The Atlantic’s analysis of polarization suggests that social media and media amplify these divides, weakening the social capital and shared stories that once bound Americans together. Young people, bombarded with narratives of systemic failure, are increasingly skeptical of the Founders’ vision, seeing it as outdated or complicit in inequality.
A Nation at a Crossroads As young Americans turn to socialism, the nation faces a crossroads. Will it embrace policies that expand government’s role, as advocated by figures like Mamdani, or recommit to the individualism and limited government championed by the Founders? The disillusionment of a generation, fueled by economic hardship, perceived indoctrination, and family breakdown, has created fertile ground for socialist ideas. Whether this marks a temporary reaction or a lasting transformation remains to be seen, but the stakes are high for the future of the American Dream.
References:
- The Heritage Foundation, “I’m a Former Teacher. Here’s How Your Children Are Getting Indoctrinated by Leftist Ideology,” August 16, 2020. https://www.heritage.org/education/commentary/im-former-teacher-heres-how-your-children-are-getting-indoctrinated-leftist-ideology[](https://www.heritage.org/education/commentary/im-former-teacher-heres-how-your-children-are-getting-indoctrinated-leftist)
- Brookings Institution, “The American Dream Deferred,” June 27, 2018. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-american-dream-deferred/[](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/senator-booker-american-dream-deferred/)
- The New Yorker, “Why Socialism Is Back,” June 18, 2019. https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/why-socialism-is-back[](https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/why-socialism-is-back)
- Pew Research Center, “Stark Partisan Divisions in Americans’ Views of ‘Socialism,’ ‘Capitalism,’” June 25, 2019. https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2019/06/25/stark-partisan-divisions-in-americans-views-of-socialism-capitalism/[](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2019/06/25/stark-partisan-divisions-in-americans-views-of-socialism-capitalism/)
- The Atlantic, “Why the Past 10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid,” April 30, 2022. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/[](https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/)
- The Heritage Foundation, “What Americans Must Know About Socialism,” December 2, 2018. https://www.heritage.org/progressivism/report/what-americans-must-know-about-socialism[](https://www.heritage.org/progressivism/commentary/what-americans-must-know-about-socialism)
- Wikipedia, “History of the Socialist Movement in the United States,” April 7, 2005. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_socialist_movement_in_the_United_States[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_socialist_movement_in_the_United_States)
- The Washington Post, “School Indoctrination? When He Turned Liberal, It Divided His Conservative Home,” July 20, 2024. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/07/20/school-indoctrination-conservative-family-liberal/[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/interactive/2024/indoctrination-schools-student-political-views-change/)
- The Heritage Foundation, “How Cultural Marxism Threatens the United States—and How Americans Can Fight It,” November 13, 2022. https://www.heritage.org/progressivism/report/how-cultural-marxism-threatens-the-united-states-and-how-americans-can-fight-it[](https://www.heritage.org/progressivism/report/how-cultural-marxism-threatens-the-united-states-and-how-americans-can-fight)
- Townhall.com, “America’s Public Schools Have Become Socialist Indoctrination Factories,” January 28, 2019. https://townhall.com/columnists/justinhaskins/2019/01/28/americas-public-schools-have-become-socialist-indoctrination-factories-n2540372[](https://townhall.com/columnists/justinhaskins/2019/01/28/americas-public-schools-have-become-socialist-indoctrination-factories-n2540323)
