The first step in freeing (human beings) from external chains was to emancipate them from the internal chains of false beliefs and ideals. To free one’s mind of chains is to free it of the care of what is acceptable or viewed so by society, this is when true freedom is discovered. -John Dewey
For as long as I have been alive, there has been a war on liberal education as if it were one end of a political spectrum. It has been said education should give a child two things: roots and wings. Conservativism is the roots, liberalism is the wings.
Liberal Education is an approach to learning that empowers individuals and prepares them to deal with complexity, diversity, and change. It provides students with broad knowledge of the wider world (e.g. science, culture, and society) as well as in-depth study in a specific area of interest. A liberal education helps students develop a sense of social responsibility, as well as strong and transferable intellectual and practical skills such as communication, analytical and problem-solving skills, and a demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world settings. American Association of Colleges and Universities
Liberal education is a backbone of democracy. John Dewey felt the primary purpose of liberal education was not to propagandize children to serve the state, nor to equip them to succeed at business, but to prepare them to be good human beings. In other words, liberal education is not a sinister socialist plot, but one essential component of a fully functioning human being as conservativism is the other.
A fully functioning human being needs twin skills of maintaining continuity with the values of the past (conservativism) and of opening to new truths (liberalism). A pure liberal would be a tumbleweed rolling around with no constant commitments. A pure conservative would be a mummy looking out at the world with the borrowed eyes of the past.
Conservatives are correct that their values are best taught at home, but they are wrong to believe that exposing their children to broader views of liberal education will mislead them. As conservative values prepares them for their private relations, so does a liberal education prepare them for their public duty. Conservative values make sure we pass along the torch given us by our forebears, liberal education makes sure that torch is still lit.