Have moral values declined the last twenty years?

[Sandy Eggo]

...and I'm still missing your point. Married couples have failed tremendously too. Troubled kids aren't a new thing. I just think we're just more aware of what is considered "troubled" than we were back then.

I also don't believe that it's the quanity of parents, but the quality of parenting that influences positive traits in children. Even with that being said, you can have the best or worst parents in the world, but ultimately, the children are individuals and at some point they will make their own decisions and even with positive or negative influences, could decide to go the opposite route. I've seen it happen.

[Henry Hawk]

I see in many kids today, is a lack of respect.....which is not something many kids are taught any more.....we have a bunch of spoiled brats now days that are given everything they ask for....not all kids, but many, do not know what it is like to 'earn' something....


I also think, kids are given more responsibliity before they are ready (imo)...in cases where both set of parents working, leaving some kids to fend for themselves, pop a diner in the micro...I think you may be right MsMojo, on the quality of parents, I think, that is something that is lacking in today's society..........maybe not so much intentional, but that is the way our society has become,....so maybe THAT is part of the moral decline as I put it, that may be declining.....

[Sunny]

Or is it a direct result of parents overcompensating for what they didn't have when they were children? The parents that were expected "to be seen and not heard"?!?!? Two working-parent households striving to give their children all of the luxuries in life that they themselves did not have during their own childhood?

[Henry Hawk]

Or is it a direct result of parents overcompensating for what they didn't have when they were children? The parents that were expected "to be seen and not heard"?!?!? Two working-parent households striving to give their children all of the luxuries in life that they themselves did not have during their own childhood?

I think that may have alot to do with it Sunny....which, could this fall under a "moral" value.....giving kids material things instead of quality time....maybe it is easier for a parent to send Johnny off to basketball camp, then to this camp and that camp, keep him out of our hair as much as possible..........instead of keeping Johnny at home more, eat supper together, do a project together, have johnny do chores around the house........I don't know, but, it is obvious that things have changed, and I don't think in many ways it has been for the better....

[Sandy Eggo]

The respect issue is a big one for me. Every opportunity, I use situations as lessons for my children so they can relate to how it feels to be disrespected. I remind them of the Golden rule and hope that when I'm not with them that they apply it. I get compliments regarding their politeness, so maybe some of my talking is sinking in.

An example, this weekend we had an opportunity to be in the community offering a product (selling stuff LOL). It was for a children's organization and the children were doing all the work themselves. Instead of saying "no thank you" some people would just scowl and keep walking. So, I asked the kids, how did that feel? Not one of them liked it. So, I said, remember how that feels when you pass someone working on a similar project and be polite. Hopefully, it works. Life is full of lessons like that.

Some parents feel as if taking their children's "voice" away is teaching them to be inhibited. I disagree. Let them have their "voice", but teach them how to use it.

[Henry Hawk]

I think what you are doing is an example of 'good morals'...and it is something that is not enforced enough in todays society, imo...

[fsuman]

I personally dont think that moral standards apply specifically to an individual.  There is a set of moral standards that all people should follow, whether they do or not, is a different story.

If any of you know who Vaudi Baucham is, he has a great speech on this exact topic, it opened my eyes to a completely knew line of thinking in this area.

[BEG]

My initial thought was 'heck yeah' moral values have declined; but I've been out of high school school for 25 years   and I'm now raising a teenager and I don't think morals have declined as much as it's just 'in your face'. There is no shame in the morals of our youth. When I was a teenager I would NEVER speak about some of the stuff that I or my peers were doing.   That doesn't mean our morals were any better, but we just kept it to ourselves - sneaky like. Today's youths will talk directly to you about sex, drugs and rock and roll!