Have family values really changed?

Yes

1 of 3

by Mercedus Long

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Family Values, what does the phrase mean, what images come to mind when you think of the phrase? Family dinners, usually consisting of meals that were cooked followed by round table discussion on how everyone's day was. Everyone wants to be successful. Unfortunately, the one place they are not is at home.

My first example is a member of my own family. I stayed with her 2 weeks when my apartment was being painted. She had legal custody over a minor child who was 11 years old at the time. On a regular basis she did not come back home until well after 9pm. Never mind the fact that this child is waiting for her to make dinner. On a regular basis the child was up at 2 or 3 a.m. watching television or talking on the phone on school nights. She would arrive home from school and do everything but homework. After a few days I stepped in took care of her. Made her dinner and ensured she completed homework before doing anything else. Even after I left, I was asked to go to the Back to School Night and the parent teacher conference. She had other things to do, and it was not taking an interest in the raising of a child of which she had legal custody.

This woman's obvious lack of family values allowed her to neglect a child. The child had no one to teach her right and wrong did as she pleased with no regard as there was no punishment. A set of family values would never have allowed this to happen. I agree that it takes a village to raise a child, but the village should not do it for the parents or guardians.

My second example is the ex-husband of a friend. Most couples like to party a bit and have fun, before the kids come. Unfortunately, after the kids came he continued to party. Even after she asked him to stop getting high and hanging out with the wrong people, he refused to stop. She suspected he was smoking weed in front of the children while she was at work.

Smoking weed is bad enough, but to introduce your children to it is unthinkable to most people. His lack of family values allowed him to introduce drugs to his children. This act subconsciously gives the children permission to do the same when they get older. Surprisingly, this is behavior is displayed promintly in places where drugs are easily accessible. People sit around outside and smoke, while the kids play in front of them.

My third example is the clothes little girls wear. I have seen many little girls walk around with words tattooed across their behinds. What would allow a mother to let her child walk around with Bootylicious across the seat of their pants. There is nothing bootylicious about a 2 year old. The older girls have no excuse either, if they were really bootylicious they would not need a sign to say so. It is a lack of family values tthat permits parents to allow their children to dress in such an appalling manner and putting on makeup that makes them look 10 years older than they really are. A lack of family values also allows people to give gifts of these types of clothes.

Family values not only teach people to respect themselves but also to respect family members, neighbors and community. Unfortunately, family values today is taught via music video, steamy teen t.v. and no one watching to ensure this entertainment is seen in the proper light. It's time parents began teaching respect and family values by modeling it themselves.

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