Morals are passed on from generation to generation. Our parents taught us how to be polite, respectful, loyal, kind, honest, and so many other positive things too numerous to mention. Society has changed throughout this time period and made it a little more difficult for everyone to practice what they were taught. Parents can lead the way and hope that their children will follow by example. For some, it takes 30+ years for the morals and values that were taught at home to sink in. And others, by the time they are in high school they have stayed on the honest path. Society makes this a challenge, as it accepts so many actions that are morally wrong.

For example, when my Grandparents were young it was morally wrong to be divorced. This was a life event that was frowned upon. Today, it is widely accepted and tolerated at a level that I don't agree with. My Grandmother was a school teacher in a country school house and it was unacceptable to talk back to the teacher. In today's schools a student would be given a warning for talking back and a second chance. In a lot of life situations we are not given second chances. Our schools are not helping our students by not holding them accountable.

I do not believe that children today need to have money handed to them for doing nothing. There are many that expect the money to fall from the sky. My seventeen year old has a part time job. He drives a 1993 Ford Taurus and contributes financially towards his auto insurance and gas. A couple of his classmates have totaled out cars less then one year old and the parents then turn around and buy them, yet, another new car. My son thinks it's crazy, but yet in the same breath says, "It must be nice." Deep down he knows that he needs to work for something with that big of a price ticket.

My siblings & I spent countless hours growing up on the farm walking beans. If we weren't walking beans we were picking up rocks. We could also be found scooping hog manure or cleaning out horse pens. My parents taught us that if you worked hard you would be rewarded. Both of my parents put in countless hours in the fields during planting and harvesting. When I was old enough to drive a tractor and combine I also helped. I loved driving those big pieces of RED farm machinery.

I hope my husband and I have taught our boys the morals that our parents brought us up with. It's tough, as we turn on the television right after supper and WHAM, there's a swear word right away. The language used on television today was something I was never allowed to say in my home growing up. What's so sad is that there are so many kids out there who don't have parents to set an example. Their language is probably full of more profanity then what's viewed on television.

It was a rare Sunday that we missed Sunday School and weekly church services when I was growing up at home. Today we attend church on a regular basis, but many families do not due to sports activities. My husband and I have never been willing to commit to Sunday sports competitions at our home, as it just doesn't seem right. We work hard all week and it's nice to enjoy each other over the week-end. A few meals together is also nice, a great time to catch up on what happened with everyone over the course of the week. I hope my boys will use the morals that we have taught them growing up in their lives as adults. Actions do speak louder than words!

Learn more about this author, Sara A Broers.
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