Job Market Mismatch

Penna Dexter According to Fortune magazine, Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley “thinks America needs a wake-up call.” Mr. Farley told Monica Langley, host of Office Hours: Business Edition podcast, his company has 5000 open jobs for mechanics. He said these jobs pay six-figure salaries. It’s not just Ford that’s having trouble finding people to fill manual labor positions. Mr….

Read Now

Pivotal Trans Report

Penna Dexter The U.S Department of Health and Human Services has issued its final version of a review of evidence pertaining to transgender “medical” interventions for minors. This 410-page report serves to update and fine-tune a review published in May. The May report, ordered by President Trump, describes significant harms to children from puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical transitions….

Read Now

California Opt-Out

Penna Dexter This is the second story I have been pleased to tell in recent weeks in which a school district backed down from violating the First Amendment religious freedom of students and parents. In this case, First Liberty Institute had to sue California’s Encinitas Union School District in federal court. Perhaps school officials in this beach community didn’t understand,…

Read Now

Not Budging

Penna Dexter I still have most of the Halloween candy I bought this year. We live within walking distance of three public schools. But where are the kids? Very few were in our neighborhood trick-or treating. In fact, not many families with young children live here anymore. This is partially on us. According to a recent CNN report: “Fewer homeowners…

Read Now

Boomer World

Penna Dexter Like it or not, it’s a Boomer world. The huge and influential baby boom generation is still the most powerful presence in American society. Members of the Boomer generation were born between 1946 and 1964. That puts President Trump — born in ‘46 — at the generation’s leading edge. As part of a recent symposium on Boomers, cultural…

Read Now

Freedom of Decoration

Penna Dexter My walking route often includes a nearby high school’s grounds with a stop to look at the seniors’ beautifully-painted parking spaces. Many high schools allow seniors to pay for a space and then paint it with a picture or message that reflects their personality or interests. Most schools require that artwork be approved by administrators. Academy School District…

Read Now

Reforming College Rankings

Penna Dexter Our universities have been moving leftward for decades. William F. Buckley warned of the drift in his 1951 book, GOD AND MAN AT YALE. Conservatives advocating reform have mostly been ignored. Families who want to avoid the prevailing leftist indoctrination can seek out Christian colleges, or schools — like Hillsdale College — that refuse federal funding. But most…

Read Now

Transformative Travel

Penna Dexter In an article published in the journal First Things, Jonathan Sanford, President of the University of Dallas, described a concept that rings true for me, having just returned from a three week-trip to Italy. Dr. Sanford writes; A pilgrim differs from a tourist in that the former seeks meaning, not diversion. Our students, prepared in advance, arrive at…

Read Now

America’s Boy Crisis

Penna Dexter The New York Times recently published an opinion piece about America’s boy crisis. It’s by social scientist Richard Reeves and Harvard political scientist and author of Bowling Alone, Robert Putnam. Here’s their summary of the problem: “Since 2010, suicide rates among young men have risen by a third — they are now higher than they are among middle…

Read Now

Kids and Church

Penna Dexter Psychoanalyst Erica Komisar is a therapist to families, and especially children, in private practice in New York City. Her periodic columns for The Wall Street Journal on childrearing are treasures. I first noticed the one on why moms should prioritize being home with their babies for their first three years. This practical wisdom almost goes without saying. Some…

Read Now

Find A Church

Penna Dexter In heartfelt remarks broadcast from her late husband Charlie’s radio studio, just two days after he was murdered — actually, martyred — Erika Kirk was adamant. The movement among young people which Charlie built through Turning Point USA, the organization he founded, will only grow stronger. She encouraged people to join and become active in changing the nation….

Read Now