Are we going backward or forward when it comes to American morality?
I had a letter to the editor published 16 years ago relating to my grandson’s traumatic middle school experience on his 12th birthday. Coming across this clipping while sorting through reams of family history, and with the recent shocking coverage of the young high school girl almost murdered in Ypsilanti a few days ago, I wonder if our cultural decline of historic American morality -- specifically taught in the family environment and re-enforced with parent-approved school discipline ... had digressed or progressed!”
Should the prevailing blasé, shrug-of-the-shoulder, shock-proof attitude continue, what will the cultural health of America be like by 2020?! What will it take and how long will it be before there is a groundswell of recognizing America’s tremendous need for an old-fashioned spiritual awakening? What will our grandchildren say to their grandchildren about our generation’s dedication -- or lack thereof -- to America’s historic moral principles?
Genny Crotty Ypsilanti Township
Comments
jcj
Sat, Mar 5, 2011 : 10:22 p.m.
Michael Maybe you were one of the ones I had to admonish! Do you use the word around your mother/kids? I only said it is one of the things that has changed over the years. I did not say it was my biggest concern! 'when we say we delivered a "preemptive strike" that resulted in limited "collateral damage" we are only whitewashing (with deceptive terminology) the fact that our attack was unprovoked and took the lives of innocent people." A "preemptive strike" does not in itself mean it was unprovoked. Although that certainly happens. And innocent lives have been taken. I certainly think it is long overdue that we stop trying to "rescue" the world. There have been many unnecessary and unjust wars waged. Too bad that trend does not stop.
Michael Schils
Sat, Mar 5, 2011 : 8:10 p.m.
The "F-word", really? I am much more concerned with the "W-word" (War) and pro-war rhetoric's continuing detrimental influence on our morality. For one example, when we say we delivered a "preemptive strike" that resulted in limited "collateral damage" we are only whitewashing (with deceptive terminology) the fact that our attack was unprovoked and took the lives of innocent people. When the language we accept helps make the audacity of our actions more palatable, our morality suffers. (Getting back off of soapbox.)
jcj
Sat, Mar 5, 2011 : 4:22 p.m.
I have to say I am encouraged to see most of the comments here. There are a lot of you that I have disagreed with on various topics. But most of the posters on this topic even while they look at things from different perspectives have been very thoughtful. One of the things that has changed in the 60 years I have been alive is this. How many of you in the 50's would have heard the F word in a public setting with women and children around? While some would say its just a word. I have on more than one occasion asked the person spewing this is if they would say it if their mother were present? Sure when you put everything in perspective ie: slavery, integration, women's rights, voting rights etc it is not such a big deal. But it is a part of the evidence that some things have changed and not for the better.
Po Prawej
Fri, Mar 4, 2011 : 11:41 p.m.
I agree with ON THE RIGHT. We have a nasty habit of blaming others or society
bedrog
Thu, Mar 3, 2011 : 10:22 p.m.
I agree with all who point out the difficulty, and indeed indesireability, of overly narrow definitions of" traditional family". That said, there probably has been an equally undesireable and increasing looseness about just what constitutes socially acceptable moral behavior. A nd alot of that has to do with increasing access to unsupervisable , and often deliberately inflammmatory and partisan ( for profit) , media...from FOX, to jihadist websites, to porn ( with the latter probably heavier on hetero than homo abuse )etc.. And i also think that this associated hyper individualism and "do your own thingism" has translated into a "first amendment" interpretation that's become a real "trojan horse" to a sane society, the latest example being yesterday's supreme court ruling that outrageously gave first amendement sanction to the activities of the vile phelps family ( "god hates fags and dead soldiers") cult ...a ruling our own local jew baiting /synagogue stalkers will no doubt gleefully embrace in support of their own hurtful and defamamatory narcissism. Of course, all of this new fangled stuff could be offset by a selective return to the notion that some words are legitimately fighting words that can be forcefully addressed by socially approved means...dueling or public horsewhipping , for example.
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
Wed, Mar 2, 2011 : 3:11 p.m.
Morality is very difficult to teach and to uphold. The path is narrow. After thousands of years of development - standing the test of time - people know what works - and what doesn't. Love, hard work, and sacrifice lead to success for your children. Traditional Family Values have won the day for thousands of years. Short quaint politically correct theories are simply a way to sell books and give speeches. But generation after generation, going back centuries, it is the moral cause that advanced civilization out of violence, out of slavery, out of tyranny.
Dennis
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 4:02 p.m.
Unfortunately it's not just the kids who need to be taught Moral Behavior. How many of you have ran out to purchase or bid on a foreclosed home. Do you think that is what Jesus would do? Or would he work to help these struggling souls out of their situation? How many of you condemn public service employees, teachers, firefighters, police, etc., as being greedy because you feel that they have more than you and want to drag them down to make you feel more successful? Wouldn't it be better to work together to raise everyone in this country to the level where we could all enjoy the American Dream? Have a country where everyone can live comfortably? Have enough food, own a home, raise a family, be free, etc? Or are you one that goes to church on Sunday then returns to the same hateful and hypocratical lifestyle where it ok for companies to make huge profits at the expense of their country, state, and employees. There is nothing wrong with moderate profits, after all companies have to survive, but to make huge profits and not take any responsibility for society is just wrong. Wasn't it the money-changers that Jesus drove out of the temple.?
Top Cat
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 2:46 p.m.
One thing that consistently restores my faith in the basic goodness of people is when someone skids off the road and into a snowbank, how many people stop to assist. I do it every opportunity I can. My son got stuck this weekend and the two people that stopped to help us made the difference as far as getting him out (their dog Romeo was not very helpful though). Talk about moral principles all you like. There is no substitute for people taking action and giving their time to help other people.
Thomas
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 1:54 p.m.
Children should be seen and not heard. I heard that growing up, and I believe it today.
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 12:43 p.m.
One of the problems with "America's historic moral principles" is historically they only applied to upper crust white people of European decent. I would ask the writer which snapshot in American history would she like to return to?
Soothslayer
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 12:32 p.m.
People have a right to live they want. >>> Within the law of course. They also have moral obligations to the children they bring in this world and other citizens. But when it comes to children two parents make life much easier (2 women, 2 men, man and wife etc. don't really care). >>> A good portion of the dysfunctional families I've seen are 2 parent. Terrible verbal and emotional abuse which the kids are subjected and mirror themselves (e.g. bringing bullying to school). A single parent may have more difficulty with famly income & management but there are other things to be concerned about that are equally important. My conclusion is there are equally, if not more, dysfunctional 2 parent homes as single parent. Just because you made a baby doesn't make you a good parent, any untrained monkey can do that.
local
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 12:26 p.m.
I see it as parents not being parents and not teaching kids right from wrong. Another article today on AnnArbor.com talked about bullying, which I feel often starts at home. Parents don't take these things as seriously as they should, or they were bullied when younger and think it is natural. Kids today seem soft, kids don't know how to lose or win gracefully. In today's activities, everyone wins, everyone gets a medal for participating, is that really how things work? When they get in trouble at school, are kids getting consequences at home, or are parents coming into the school to fight for their child. When I grew up it was clear, if my parents got a call from school I was in trouble, no questions asked. Now, parents want to argue that it wasn't "my child who did this..." I just see kids different today, they think playing video games or watching TV is more important than going home after school and playing till dinner time. I see it as almost a disconnect to what is going on in the real world, that bad things are taking place in the real world, yet they know nothing about these things. I think that as a parent, I try my best to shelter and protect my kids, but I sometimes wonder if I am doing more harm then good. Just one persons thoughts on the article.
a2citizen
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 1:34 a.m.
I'm wondering what the traumatic experience was.
debling
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 12:54 a.m.
Personally I think the perception of a decline in American morality is a myth. Over time, I believe morality has increased not decreased. What was more moral in the past? Slavery? Colonization of Indian land? War to capture Mexican lands in the Southwest? Segregation? Lynching? Denying women the right to own property or vote? Discrimination? Religious intolerance? Racial intolerance? Discrimination against gays and lesbians? In all of these areas, America has made vast strides and improvements. It is amazing that our children turn out as well as they do considering the messages they subtly receive from society every day. What are the messages that society sends our young people today? If you have a conflict with your neighbor or classmate how do you solve it? Work together to find a mutual solution that is beneficial to both of you? No, rather our government says preemptively strike your opponents with overwhelming force to crush him and force him to your will. What about sharing wealth? Today, greed rules and kids know it. Wall Street is not about sharing, its about self indulgence, big salaries and fast cars. What about health and well being? Try to pass a national health care bill to help the sick and needy and see how some Americans react to that. What about jobs? Society cares more for the wealth of a few individuals that find it convenient to outsource jobs than American families struggling to provide for their children. I see our young kids today growing up in a harsh world that we created and I am optimistic for the future. They are compassionate and caring, inclusive and tolerant, inquisitive and bright. In spite of the world we have thrown at them, I have no doubt they will create a wonderful place to live that many of us wish we lived in today.
bedrog
Thu, Mar 3, 2011 : 10:24 p.m.
given your support of our local synagogue harassers, mr. debling, your words ring a tad hollow.
Soothslayer
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 12:36 p.m.
Here's the issue with today's values: we know better but yet we still choose not to act appropriately. That's the real crime. An act is less immoral if we have no way of knowing but we all know better now and that's inexcusable.
johnnya2
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 3:30 a.m.
EXACTLY! Was it more to hang blacks? Was it more moral to not allow women in the workforce? Was it more moral to have segregated schools? I guess some want to go back to the days when women were property. kids were told to shut up and be seen and not heard, and blacks were told they could only ride on the back of the bus. I guess sometimes progress isn't good for some, but I will take current state over what others perceive as the "good old days"
TripleVSix
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 1:02 a.m.
So, you're willing to give up your property that was once occupied by Indians? Or is it only immoral for the person who first took it from the Indians to own it?
braggslaw
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 12:34 a.m.
People have a right to live they want. But when it comes to children two parents make life much easier (2 women, 2 men, man and wife etc. don't really care). There are numerous studies that show single parent children are lower performing and are poor. To me this is not a moral-religious question but a moral-responsibility question. When you bring a child into this world you are a huge part of his/her success or failure. I know of some outstanding single mothers, but I also know of some single mothers so overwhelmed that they cannot do right by their children. MY conclusion is that a lack of personal responsiblity moral ambiguity, sexually active children (kids having kids), and absent parents (fathers or mothers) has led to a snowball effect where young adults have a problem differentiating between right or wrong.
Patti Smith
Mon, Feb 28, 2011 : 3:48 p.m.
I think we are often on opposite ends, braggslaw, but I agree with much of what you say here. As a teacher, I can tell you that the 2 parented (man/woman, woman/woman, man/man) children seem to have a leg up on things. It's hard to explain but there is just more stability or something. I agree that some single parents can do it by themselves and that is the problem with discussing this issue...whenever I say something in favor of a two parent household, inevitably single moms will get defensive and go on the attack. As to WHY they get so defensive, that's another topic, but I certainly don't mean any disrespect to them.... When you make the choice--and it is a choice--to make a kid with someone--choose wisely.
OnTheRight
Sun, Feb 27, 2011 : 11:26 p.m.
Speaking as a lifelong resident of Ann Arbor, I take exception with the comment about there being "no such thing as a traditional family" around here, therefore making it too hard to define family values. That is such a cop-out and a clear example of the attitude that excuses inappropriate behavior by hiding behind the farce of political correctness gone amuk. Whether you are a one or two-parent family, same sex or heterosexual parents....you can absolutely observe those "traditional" family values such as compassion, integrity, honesty, loyalty, etc., that make families and communities function and thrive. It is time to stop making excuses and get back to taking responsibility for ourselves, regardless of the "format" of our family units.
John B.
Sun, Feb 27, 2011 : 11:18 p.m.
I see the one of the main issues as increasing acceptance of violence as a way to resolve conflict. Couple that with a far-too-powerful gun lobby, crooked politicians that are in the pocket of powerful industry lobbyists, plus so-called "Christians" that preach intolerance, hatred, lying, stealing, domestic terrorism, and cheating of all forms as acceptable, and you have a recipe for ongoing problems. As our society continues to devolve, the super-rich are more easily able to 'divide and conquer' the populace by feeding them lies to scare and distract them, thus enabling them to better control their own further enrichment at the expense of the other 98% of us.
Michael Schils
Thu, Mar 3, 2011 : 3:03 p.m.
You make an excellent point. The richer the richest of the rich get, the more money they have to influence politicians and politics, which gives them still more money to put to political use. One result of this influence is lower taxes. The rich then loan the money they save on taxes back to the government, and the rest of us pay the interest on that loan. It's a vicious cycle, I tell ya... <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/03/02-2" rel='nofollow'>http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/03/02-2</a>
Blackbird
Sun, Feb 27, 2011 : 10:44 p.m.
Speaking as an Ann Arbor parent, I can tell you that around here there is no such thing as a traditional family. So traditional family values can't be so easily pinned down.