I used to be heading down this path as a teenager. For me, college was the eye opener. When I broke away from my normal bubble of people, I would have my opinions and biases challenged.

I like the travel suggestion as well. Also I went to some music festivals around that time that were pretty significant to my beliefs. I guess it depends on the type of music they prefer though.

By “fascist” you mean “supports ethnic cleansing”, or “doesn’t agree with me on every single political issue”?

I’d recommend some Scott Galloway. He’s an advocate for young men, but he’s not one of those toxic manosphere types. He’s not exactly a leftist, but he’s certainly a liberal by today’s standards.

As a lefty who received “gifts” from her conservative parents, let me suggest giving the gift separate from a major holiday. Something I wish my parents had done that could work as a gift of sorts for you would be to take your son out for coffee or breakfast. Nothing fancy, preferably not busy. Talk to them about why they think what they do. Don’t combat them, just try to understand. Ask them if they would be comfortable talking more after you’ve had time to think about what they said.

“Hey [child’s name], you know that we have strong beliefs about certain subjects. We feel we have good reasons to believe the things we do, but there are smart people in the world who disagree with us. You are a smart kid, and that is reflected in the way you look for answers to problems that the way you have been brought up to think hasn’t offered a solution for. It would mean the world to your mom and I to know out son better, what are some things you’ve thought deeply about recently?”

Something that interests him other than fascism. Idk why that has anything to do with a gift. A gift is there to show appreciation and love, not to manipulate their pov.

I’m not right leaning, but I live in a right leaning area, and I think most all of us could stand a bit of time back in nature. So here’s what I would consider.

• A hunting or fishing license and classes
• A long weekend camping in the woods
• A trip to a national park
• Boat license lessons
• A craft class at a local Uni, like welding or pottery. They’re usually pretty cheap and a lot of fun
• A rafting trip

Not knowing him at all nor what he likes, perhaps a guitar and guitar lessons. That’s something I truly enjoyed in my late teens/early 20s. Or tickets to a music show or comedian he likes.

A copy of mein craft

When i was in ny early 20s, i was a Ron Paul guy. When I was in my early 30s, I was a Bernie guy.

So what changed, and what was the same? In my 20s, I didnt have a fundamental understanding of how money really works. Ron Paul was big on the gold standard, which makes sense kn the surface. Crypto is similar where it makes sense on the surface; finite supply means no inflation and no value loss. I somehow also reasoned that not having the gold standard was the cause of inequality, but I honeslty cant understand why, and i cant remember either.

In my 30s, I understood how they money system works mich better. Why we left the gold standard, and how it was holding back progress. I understood how our money is actually backed by muscle, and therefore the national debt doesnt really matter all that much until the day comes when the dollar has no value, because the US is defunct.

Im sure I have much more to learn as I am in my early 40s now.

The point I am trying to make, is that your son probably lacks understanding and wisdom, and is currently easily swayed by surface level logic.

Thisbis really in addition to the other great stuff people have said in here

If he’s consuming right wing social media, it might be because he’s bored. Others have suggested left wing media, but maybe just finding other activities to do would help. These cost money, but maybe camping/hiking, hobby electronics/combat robots, dirt bikes/go-karts, RC planes/drones or metal fabrication are ideas that come to my mind. These are hobbies that have either politics neutral or left leaning communities. If he picks up that you’re trying to politically influence him, he’ll likely dig his heal in.

let your children come to their conclusions on their own. do not try to force them into believing one thing or another. share what you believe is right and let them critically think and analyze the world for themselves

it’s perfectly natural for teenagers to rebel against their parent’s world view- especially when they feel like they are being forced into it. it’s part of growing up and crafting your own unique identity. nobody has it all figured out when they are a teenager, even though they think they do. so they may seem arrogant and ignorant… but that’s perfectly normal. if you successfully imparted them the values of empathy and compassion when they were young, they will eventually come to proper belief systems

as for present, you know your son a lot better than any of us will.

A lot of people recommend anything, outdoors, hiking, camping, dirt bikes etc.

I want to say you have to be careful with those. As you can easily spiral into right wing, conspiracy theorist territory.

Youtube is very good at pushing that kind of content.

Maybe something about food, like cooking classes, or about traveling.

Reading through the comments here, I would say a gift certificate or membership to some activity they’ve expressed interest in. Ideally, something physical, that either involves working/playing/whatever with other people, or which has a social element to it.

My biased selection would be rock climbing if this is of some interest and you have a climbing gym that isn’t a giant pain to access (which you might not). Solo sport, but a) you need a belayer - that was my Dad when I was doing it, and b) the gym rats I’ve come across are often very friendly, open people.

Can be as challenging as you make it, gets you talking with IRL people, opportunity for what sounds like really necessary quality time going up there, if he gets into bouldering or makes a gym buddy and can get there himself he can eventually do it independently, etc.

Might make sense for them, might not - only you would know, really.

Other than fascism, what else is he into? Lean in that direction. Make it apparent that you are all a loving family, and he is a part of that as long as he remains willing to put in the work/maintenance that love requires.

Have your son travel, sending him off to see how other people live and how cheerful and helpful most people are is probably going to open his eyes.

1. Puerto Rico, Bahama’s, St Lucia, British Virgin Islands are all fairly safe and you can mix and mingle with the locals. Just don’t stay somewhere where you will only stay on the resort. Get a hotel or resort in the middle of a community

I had a wonderful time in St Luca several years ago and stayed at the resort below. It’s a small resort in the middle of a town with lots of interaction with locals.

https://coco-resorts.com/

Why does he have to be taken in by “fascist doctrine”? Maybe he just disagrees with your worldview. Get him a book on personal finance and investing. Obviously he will be taking care of you when you’re elderly.