Books like The Vanishing American Adult by Ben Sasse

In The Vanishing American Adult, Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse examines how modern parenting and well‑meaning government policies are undermining traditional milestone experiences—hard work, travel, literacy, and physical well‑being—that foster independence. Drawing on his observations as a Midwestern college president and public policy critic, Sasse details a decline in self‑reliant adulthood, citing statistics such as a 30 % first‑year college dropout rate and a third of adults aged 18‑34 living with parents. He proposes a path forward, urging parents to encourage formative experiences that cultivate hard work, curiosity, reading, and health. The book frames these changes as an existential threat to American democracy, stressing that a resilient citizenry depends on responsible, contributing adults. Sasse’s call to action seeks to revive the core values that have defined the American experience since the founding, arguing that without them the nation is vulnerable to populist demagogues.

First publish date: 2017