Unless you have been asleep, you are now aware a part of our society is sick. Mass shootings, homelessness, substance addiction, gender transition being taught to grade-schoolers, the promotion of racial division, unimaginable political corruption, crime without punishment — I could go on with near-endless examples.
When I look at all that is wrong in society, I cannot help but consider the pathology of these ills and seek the antidote; I bet you are no different.
In my opinion, many of these problems threatening the future of the America we love began with the deterioration of family values and the family unit.
Some would like to focus the blame for societal dysfunction on progressives or conservatives, Democrats or Republicans, but the primary reason could be as simple as the breakdown of the family.
The fragmentation of our society is simpler and more recent than just differences in opinion and politics. Our founding was based on a divergence of political ideals and philosophies. Existing at that time were also common goals based foremost on the cohesiveness of the family unit as well as the establishment of a nation of laws where the people participated.
In fact, the idea of family goes back to the beginning of humanity. It is a concept that inhabits and permeates the scriptures of the world’s major religions. It is all about the basics of choosing a mate, procreating, protect-ing the family members and providing for them.
In that traditional culture, all relies on parents, but when the kids began to reach an age of accountability, responsibilities are assigned and assumed. It means caring for one another and being responsible for maintaining good order.
These values are meant to be transferred from the individual family unit to the larger family of mankind, but families split, parents’ divorce, kids get out from under parental supervision, and without parental guidance and encouragement, education often becomes unimportant to some. When parents lose control of their kids, the kids often lose control of their futures and their place in society crumbles. Un-or-under-employment leads to an obscure future, frustrations, escapism — often in drugs and alcohol — and overwhelming feelings of uselessness.
I am not a sociologist or psychologist. While these statements are general and incomplete observations, they are nonetheless real. I do know many exceptions of children raised by a single parent, in a broken home or by extended family members who enjoy balanced and successful lives. In those instances, family values rose beyond the principal family unit to the greater family need and required commitment from those who perhaps were not directly responsible.
When I consider the break-up of the family unit during my lifetime, I look at the War on Poverty which was well intentioned and did help some. It also created a welfare state where capable people chose to live off government largess. While helping, it also disincentivized marriage and out of wedlock births increased. In part, it was a government initiative to take care of single parents, mainly mothers without adequate child support.
When government helps, there are usually unintended consequences. There is no better example than our current COVID relief programs where government issued checks continue to arrive and businesses can’t find people who want to work.
Today, I am concerned about numerous things- one is what is being taught in many school systems regarding gender orientation. The rise of gender disassociation among our young has ascended sharply during the past ten years. Why? Are kids today being taught transgenderism is normal and could this be one force behind the current and accelerated degeneration of family values?
Another observation is the statistical decline of those attending places of worship. A Pew Research poll indicates a recent decline in Americans who consider religion very important and only half of Americans consider it to be moderately important.
It is spring and a good time to observe birds nesting, feeding and raising young-teaching them to fly and leave the nest, prepared for life. If you believe these avian family values to be imprinted at the time of creation by a creator, then perhaps you consider them to be spiritual in origin for all species. Without these instincts, it is impossible for any specie to survive and thrive. We are spiritual beings. Leave the spiritual dimension unoccupied by meaningful specifics and I will guarantee evil and destruction will creep in and fester.
Regarding political issues, I must consider the effects that governments have on society such as what the War on Poverty did to many.
In today’s world, whether from the COVID shutdowns of schools, businesses, employment layoffs and vaccine mandates or the ignorance by law enforcement of political influence peddling, various public trusts have been violated. When former intelligence officials sign a politically charged declaration to help sway an election, that is inappropriate meddling in the election process. When millions of illegal immigrants pour across our border and government officials swear under oath that our border is closed, that breeds among some a distrust and frustration with government. The Durham Report is now complete and found the FBI and DOJ acted inappropriately in the investigation of President Donald Trump.
Trust is essential, be it for parents, brothers, sisters, doctors, schools, teachers, religions, politicians and all forms of government. Without confidence in the foundational institutions, people and societies will rebel and develop a counter culture, resulting in various degrees of chaos in sectors of society.
Lack of trust, whether well-founded or not becomes a driving force be-hind a portion of society’s dysfunction which causes individuals to act out their frustrations in sometimes unlawful and irresponsible ways.
We are a better nation and a better people than to allow these ills to fester. We are the people who have the power to restore the values that can help heal the infected portions of society. It requires our voice, whether at pub-lic meetings or in prayer and it requires responsibility in our interactions with friends, family, strangers and those in need of help.
We may have differing political and religious positions, but it is our responsibility to unite behind the basics of civility and good social order and work toward the healing of the dysfunctional portions of our society. That should start with families developing core beliefs of faith and celebrating the value of life.
For sure, the best way to heal a broken relationship and unite a wounded family is to ask forgiveness and grant it to others.
Tom Wright is a Santa Fe writer and investor in El Rito Media, LLC, owner of the Rio Grande SUN.