Fixing Society Through Good Parenting

       

       I am not bragging, but we eat two meals together during the week and three on the weekends.  We pray together and almost never miss church unless sick.  Chas read the complete bible this last summer and he is only 10.  The boys help me out with chores and Maya and Julia frequently do things together as well.  We try to do at least a couple of family activities a week like going on hikes, etc. as the weather permits.  The reason I am telling you all this is because I think the LEADING cause of problems in this nation is not politics in D.C., the recession, or the state of our education system. 

       The major problem facing our country is the disconnect in families.  Dr. Laura Schelessinger wrote at length about "Parenting by Proxy."  That is just the tip of the iceberg when you consider the number of parents who are in prison, drug dependent, or just out of the picture altogether.  The Johnson Administration decimated the traditional family when he gave preference to single mothers over intact families regarding entitlements. 

       Lax drug enforcement laws and a poor education system in many inner city schools lead the way to further poverty and a growing underclass.   Chronic unemployment and government programs that encourage dependence destroy initiative and ego.  Targeted advertising and promotion of high powered alcohol and high nicotine cigarettes along with urban carryout stores with a paucity of fresh vegetables and fruits leads to chronic obesity, poor mental health and long term disease such as diabetes and heart problems and COPD.  People feel like they have no self worth. Simple Work confers dignity.   But all these problems at the core go hand in glove with poor parenting and it becomes a self-perpetuating cycle. 

       The solution is for parents to spend quality child centered time with their kids and do it every day.  Julia does homework with the kids every day.  She plays with the kids.  I do lots of fun things with them on the weekends and we do chores together around the house.  Chores develop both good work habits and interaction.  Finally, parents need to pray with their children and conduct their own lives as a model for how they want their children to behave.  If you want your children to be just, be fair with them.  If you want them to be honest, don't lie yourself.  If you objectify the opposite sex, do not expect your child to grow up treasuring their spouse.  Live by example.  Pray to G-d every day for guidance and thank G-d every day for the opportunity to be a parent because it is the single most rewarding and important job in the world.