Victor Davis Hanson: Charlie Kirk’s Fight to Break the Youth Out of ‘Prolonged Adolescence’

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Sep 15, 2025

Charlie Kirk tackles the issue of prolonged adolescence, suggesting it reflects deeper cultural decay among young Americans. He argues for a return to traditional family values and early adulthood milestones, such as marriage and home ownership. The discussion emphasizes the importance of cultivating a conservative outlook to combat these societal challenges. Insights from successful conservative states highlight the urgent need for economic and cultural changes, advocating for a paradigm shift in how young people approach their futures.

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INSIGHT

Politics Reflects Deeper Social Problems

Charlie Kirk saw politics as a symptom of deeper cultural and economic problems rather than just policy disputes.
Victor Davis Hanson emphasizes addressing root causes like social decay to change political outcomes.

INSIGHT

Prolonged Adolescence Explains Youth Choices

Prolonged adolescence results from economic barriers and cultural messaging that delay adult milestones like marriage and parenthood.
Hanson links this delay to lower fertility and broader harm to society.

ANECDOTE

Going Into Hostile Territory

Kirk targeted swing and blue states, not just conservative areas, to persuade people to adopt a different life paradigm.
Hanson describes him as an emissary entering hostile territory to change hearts and choices.

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Charlie Kirk knew the key to winning a generation to conservatism meant addressing the root cause of America’s political problems: a cultural decay that has trapped young people in “prolonged adolescence.”

His solution was to champion cultural and economic values that are congruent with the founding principles of this nation and a flourishing society. On today’s episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words,” Hanson explains how Kirk urged a generation to grow out of “prolonged adolescence,” rediscover marriage and family, and demand policies that make owning a home and raising children possible again—and why his legacy will be felt for years to come.

“ We turned to common sense in half the country, but he was going as an emissary into hostile territory and telling people: ‘There is a reason why you're leaving in the millions. … We have to champion the idea that a two-parent family is not aberrant. It was the historical norm for 2,500 years. It's a good thing to have two or three children. It's a good thing to be a young person and wanna buy a house in your 20s and not in your 40s, or to have a child in your 20s and not in your late 30s.’ Nothing wrong with the latter, but he was trying to offer a different paradigm that had proved successful.”

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(0:00) Charlie Kirk's Legacy

(1:27) Economic and Social Challenges

(3:02) Swing States and Blue States Strategy

(3:45) Promoting Traditional Family Values

(4:12) Charlie Kirk's Methodology

(5:05) Final Thoughts on Charlie Kirk's Impact

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