(THE DEGRADATION OF MORAL CHARACTER)

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   soldout1posted 14 years ago

   There are so many in todays society that have lost the boundaries that would have helped them in times past to determine between right and wrong. Children are now exposed to so much information which in many ways have molested them of their innocence, and have deprived them of a pure and healthy childhood.
   
   Tomorrows Newspaper reads that an 11 year old child was gunned downed by his fellow student simply because he wouldn't give up his coat.These are a few of the teachings learned by this information generation. That material gain is more important than another human life.The degradation of moral standards starts not only from within the home, but in the Media and Educational system as well as Environmental structures play a significant role as well. To reach a generation that has been exposed to so much with so little maturity or understanding will not only be challenging for its teachers, but overwhelming for those that seek to control them.
   
   Degradation simply means to lower ones standard of lifestyle, to make one a degenerate and to demoralize not only in standards, but in character as well.  Greed has become the forerunner in the world today. There is so many that now hide behind this image call success. That it doesn't really matter what it took to get there, at least this is what they think.

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      Brenda Durhamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with a lot of this post.
      
      Children began to be taught things and pressured into learning things that they weren't mature enough to decipher, much less handle correctly.
      
      I seriously think it started or was perpetuated by putting Kindergarten and other pre-schools in effect.  The focus went from childcare/babysitting to applying pressure on kids to learn things they had no business being worried about. Kids need to be kids for a longer period before being made to focus on growing up.

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      LegendaryHeroposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I really don't believe that morals have degraded at all. Throughout history, as people grow older, they remark that morals in society have degraded compared to when they were younger. Perhaps this is because as people grow older they view all the corrupt, thoughtless, and inhumane acts people commit. It's human nature. We are no different morally than our earliest ancestors. Morals haven't changed at all and neither have people. There's always going to be people lacking moral compasses, again it's human nature.
      
      "Our earth is degenerate in these latter days; bribery and corruption are common; children no longer obey their parents; every man wants to write a book and the end of the world is evidently approaching."
      -- Assyrian clay tablet, 2800 B.C.

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         J's Suicide Blogposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         that tablet...is amazing thank you

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         tantrumposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         The Assyrian Tablets shows humankind is evolving and regressing in circles. It's a maze ,a trap. You'll never get out.

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         PatHenryposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I have searched & searched and cannot find the source of this quote (and others strangely like it).  I can tell you where they DIDN'T come from: an ancient Assyrian tablet, the walls of the Great Pyramid, an ancient Greek philosopher, etc. etc. 
         We all like to quote authoritative sources, but sometimes we can't find one, so we make one up (which is what I believe initially happened in this case with the originator of this quote).

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      J's Suicide Blogposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      So....your telling me the safest days were the fascist ones? Nice.
      
      I agree with little of your post. I am guessing you have children, or something crazy. Whatever. Have your children gone to war with another tribe? Have your children had to kill others just to survive? How often do your children go out and hunt to get their food?
      
      Wait, so the only experience your children have with violence is video games and television? So they never stained their hands with blood? Never killed anyone else?
      
      That's pretty impressive I say. So your talking about a children population of violence that, lets say for shits and giggles, is 10% of our population. I am giving you a high amount of favor with giving you that 10% cause it would honestly be around  2% but I feel generous today. If it was 10% it would be every 1 kid out of ten would be a killer, unlesss thats how you view them already. 
      
      10% is still a heck of a lot better than a 100% of a children population that was used to seeing violence and killing in order to survive. Not even that look at the 80's where gang violence was at an all time high. I'm sorry to say but statistics point to a less violent generation, more open minded, unless open mindedness means less morals. If so then your right, but I rather have a generation who is more accepting of other people's beliefs than a fascist, I mean, a narrow-mindedness generation.

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         soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         The Language Please. As if you really care . Degradation...you get it?There's no tribes on this end, what about yours?  Well I just re-located to the west ,and guns in the hands of children are common. But the principle was not the gun, the focal point was the Moral Character and its degradion.  Please read the whole hub. Take Care

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      marcel285posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      How did the kid get the gun?!?! Hmmm, mummy and daddy. Parents have no one to blame but themselves. If a parent was responsible, a child should be completely unawares that their parents even own a gun.

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         soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Here in the West the streets are their suppliers. Take Care

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      Drew Elksposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Some may say you are truely cynical, personaly I would aggree with your thoughts Generaly, however it is adifficult thing to Generalize, Children are what they learn so if there Moral Charecter has diminished it is because of what they have learnt from there Parents and other Adult influances in their lives and therefore the modern attitude if you like has evolved through the ages like most things, no-one in particular or no Generation in particular is to Blame however if we expect to reverse the trend then we all need to take some responsibility.

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   goldenpathposted 14 years ago

   Agreed.  It starts at home.  The generations after those of the Great Depression era have been cottled and tricked into the mindset of "entitlement" from the government.  This was one of the steps toward degradation.  This has helped lead a people into self loathing and pity in which they extend that into their offspring.  There is no principle of self reliance these days and especially not advocated by our government leaders. 
   
   Part of what needs to be understood is that this rising generation is a powerful and strong spirited one.  If channeled correctly they can carry us to heights unlimited and unimagined.  However, it is up to us as parents and leaders to get our act together that we may teach and inspire this generation to set and exceed goals and standards. 
   
   One of the first steps of degradation of any society is the acts of it's leaders to make the people dependent on them.  This is false and leads to socialism and communism.  It is the suppression of the human soul and spirit.  It indoctrinates that man is not capable of more than what the government says man is. 
   
   We must uplift the home with positive influence.  Gain the discipline to turn off the television as well as the internet.  Gain the discipline to spend at least one night a week together, as a family.  Instill the skills and wisdom of self reliance and preparedness.
   
   These are my thoughts.

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      soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Exactly, the greatest influence of any leader is only gained by example.This starts not only within our government ,but at home as well. It's very hard for anyone to respect the words of those that refuse to follow their own advice. I believe that rules that are broken by the very one's that are given authority to enforce them will never be respected, except at gun point. The demoralization of the human soul and the neglect of the human spirit is exactly how the Government gained it's control in the first place. Many year ago I had an anormous urge to study words. And in doing so it help me to understand the fundamental's of all things without complexity. I also believe that this generation will be the generation that will refuse to be bound. Simply because so many boundaries have already been removed. It will be difficult for many to remove themselves from the flow of this current world being made such a part of it. It really does start at home.
      
      Your thoughts have great substance.

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      J's Suicide Blogposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Do you know what socialism is? Or are you you hung up with the cold war husk of communism?
      
      If you study Marx you would understand that it is the best idea for a society for children. It is not self centered and selfish like capitalism. It does not look for personal interest it look for the community interest.
      
      Capitalism believes in survival of the fittest, a Social Darwinist ideology, which is great if everyone started out in a somewhat equal place. But the thing is, no one does anymore. You know the average age of homelessness is 9 yearsold? Try and tell me that the reason the 9 year old is in such a horrible place was because they were lazy. Socialism would provide for education, homes,  and transportation, to help level the playing fields.
      
      Why? Is it to make people dependent? Hell no.  It goes back to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Once all of the basics needs are met than one can  start focus on Self-Actualization, which is what makes us human.
      
      I would also suggest you look at other socialized countries that are very successful like many of the European countries. though demonize those as well.
      
      I'll end with a quote from Francis Bacon which surmises the stances of me and the rest.
      
      "young men are fitter to invent than to judge, fitter for execution that for counsel and fitter for new projects than for settled business...Young men, in the conduct and manage of actions, embrace more than they can hold; stir more than they can quiet; fly to the end, without consideration of the means and degrees; pursue some new principles which they have chanced upon absurdly; care not to innovate, which draws unknown inconveniences; use extreme remedies at first; and that which doubleth all errors, will not acknowledge or retract them; like an unready horse, that will neither stop nor turn.
      
      Men of Age object too much, consult too long, adventure too little, repent too soon, and seldom drive business home to the full period but content themselves with mediocrity of success.
      
      I can admit that some some of my ideas may seem outrageous, but I am open to hear different, and I do seek counsel. Can you admit the same for your ideas?

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         AdsenseStrategiesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         My suspicion is that mentioning the buzzword Socialism you are closing the ears of many to your arguments from the outset.
         
         I do however think something similar, ie., having been an elementary school teacher, I am not too sure that children are not taught values any different from times past... but I do think that pop culture (and I'm not sure "who" is responsible for that...) preaches the idea that virtue, morals, good conduct, decorum, etc are not cool.
         
         I think it is part of the Me-culture. This me-culture may have been created by any number of things, but one thing is for sure, advertising executives and the company's they serve WANT us to WANT stuff, and this tends to drown all other views of the world out...

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         soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         J.s Suicide) Man what are you talking about, and to what group of people are you refering too? Are you making reference to a generation or to a culture. I agree with quite a few of your points.But you are that Model this generation will look too. Can this generation gain anything simply because you were born into this life. What have you added to your socitey, or must I look towards Europe?  Take care

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   Cagsilposted 14 years ago

   Religion has done enough damage on the moral character of society. That much is obvious. It has taught separation and hatred for long enough.
   
   The "moral" character of society shows a lack of Integrity. Which leads...to the New Hub, just published yesterday. Integrity - The Lost Character Trait.
   
   Thank you for such a nice question. And, you would be correct that there is a very low amount of moral character in existence right now.

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      soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Religion was not born out of truth, but instead has taken the truth and has divided the truth through the destorted perception of mankind. Religion indeed has brought about the separation and segregation among many, as men give birth to their own idea of God.  But it was initially established for the building of moral character, and to gain control of the human soul.
      
      Philosopher's such as Hegel, Plato and many others saw this as a tool to create their own Utopia. But we are now staring disaster in the face . I  personally believe that  the lack of integrity deals with a lack of wholeness. Remember  what you learned in math, that an integral number is a whole number. Without wholeness all things are left in part. The more exposure our society has to indecency and unregulated media, the morals of this country will continue to deplenish along with it religious segregation.
      
      Thank you so much for your veiw.

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         Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         It was established as a form of control, not of the human soul, but of people in general.
         
         Yeah, and these two idiots are the cause for why religion sees humanity as evil, sinners. Their ill-conceived notion that mankind/humanity was inherently evil.
         
         I'm glad to see you believe in being one with yourself. That's a good start. Thank you for sharing your views.

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            soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            My friend to demean and destroy with words simply because your veiws differ from someone elses, is the evidents of the degradation I speak of. To tare down what is valued by another, is for what purpose? This method has always been use to intimidate and utimately to eliminate the vioce of another, leaving nothing but the intimidater. How sad.

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               Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               That's your opinion of what you think I am doing. But, when you actually look at them, you would seriously understand my statement to be true. And your subjectively biased view, would be rendered without merit.
               
               And what would be your purpose for opening your mouth in the first place.....oh yeah, that's right....you wanted to tell others how it is suppose to be? So, what's that you say?
               
               Actually, the fact that you see what I said as sad? It's remarkable that you see it that way. However, since I don't really want to disappoint you or offend you...if you're interested....
               
               I will agree with you that there has been a lot going over throughout the ages of time, that has been troubling to many. But, what I will not agree with is the irrational ideology that simply says "blind faith" is good for the human mind.

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                  soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Why can't I open my mouth? Is this your nature to bully people? Knowledge without the implementation of wisdom is chaos and confusion, which seems to be all you have spued out thus far. I am trying  to lean more towards your conscious. But I will not respond to  degradation, which would be a lowering of my personal standards.  No one deserves this type of control over someone elses expression of speech.
                  
                  I will say that whether or not you agree with me is irrelevent.What you think is allowed with me, as long as it is not violating. Your thoughts are you and I'm mature enough to accept that. Otherwise you're not really being yourself. Hypocrisy is out of my league. I  am not restricted to my own ideas nor to anyone elses.  But there are certain principles I live by that work for me. So I am not restricted in my veiw point,  without assessing the veiws of another. It all depend upon  what angle you're viewing from, its always better to have a complete view.  What makes me who I am is my ability to be me without the affirmation of another. I am solid enough to stand alone without the aproval of anyone else.
                  
                  Fighting someone to be heard doesn't work, and if you truly want to help others you must first get yourself out of the way. By the way ,faith has never been blind. It is the ablity to see what has not been made manifest to the natural eye. You take Care

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                     Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     No, it's my way of explaining to you that when you do open your mouth and voice your opinion, that other people are going to either agree or disagree. And, using the misconceptions you're programmed with to insinuate that people are being a bully, when obviously they are not is part of the problem.
                     Thus far, you do not seem open to the simple fact that there is more to it than you realize, yet you've decided to take on multiple conversations, in an area, you are not best suited to talk about. This lacks integrity on your part, as well, as a lack of knowledge. Obviously, you also lack the wisdom.
                     If your actions, are similar to your HubPages name (soldout1), then so much for having to lower your personal standards, to engage us infantile people.
                     Who is trying to control what you say? I'm not. I would prefer you open you mouth, not only with an opinion, but something that actually makes sense to others. You obviously don't understand what it means to moral character.
                     
                     I just recently wrote a Hub: Integrity- The Lost Character Trait.
                     It's nice to see that you have already made up your mind that everything that people say is irrelevant.
                     
                     Thank you for pointing out that you are ignorant to other people's words, position or whatever else. Thank you for your honesty. It clearly shows you don't understand.
                     
                     You make no sense with this statement. It doesn't matter what I say, you're not going to like it, because it obviously doesn't mix with what you think you know.
                     
                     Would you please form coherent sentences?
                     
                     You may claim to be not restricted, however you actions proved otherwise.
                     
                     Well, at least my view isn't selfish or yet worse.
                     
                     Oh, so you give yourself credit without approvals from others? Hmmm......? Interesting....inflated self-worth, along with an inflated ego.
                     
                     Excuse, sir, ma'am or whatever you would like to call yourself- Your little insinuation that fighting doesn't solve anything, yet it does. If everyone agreed with you, then how would be people differentiate themselves from others?
                     
                     Before you attack me, and try to show that I'm the one with the problem, I would highly suggest you revisit the mirror in your bedroom and take another look at yourself....because what you are revealing here is worth noting.....not good.
                     
                     Have a great day!

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                     J's Suicide Blogposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     Well. This is my last post on this ridiculous columns of posting.
                     All i have to say is soldout1 you would never have been allowed to open your mouth. If went back to the 50's, where morality was supposedly high, you voice and thoughts wouldn't matter cause your a girl. Just saying. I mean very few of you went to college and then if you did you were stuck with sexist positions like nurse and secretary. Thank God, or Allah, or the Hill Spirits, or No One, that we have lost enough morals to allow women rights. I'm personally for it.
                     
                     Just saying

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                        soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        You've already expose yourself. Very few of who? If you knew my position in life you would probably close your mouth.  Insanities continues to spue out.  So if I continue to respond to you, this would mean that I have now become what you are. No one has ever determine my destiny.  Take Care

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   Sab Ohposted 14 years ago

   Religion can be, and usually is, an important part of building moral character and maintaining stable societies. Like anything useful, it can be misused, but it is a positive and important part of civil life.

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      soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I agree that there must be a road map for the building of morals, to determine what is right and what is wrong. But on the other hand, if this  road map has been placed in the wrong hands,someones direction could become twisted or destorted..

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   kephriraposted 14 years ago

   Have you ever read a history book? This idea of the moral degradation of modern society often gets put forwards, but if you actually compare the attitudes and actions of people today to those of people in the past I think you will see that morality is improving not degrading.
   
   Yes there are lots of bad people in the world, and even beyond that lots of us do bad things. But that has always been the case, and much more so in the past.

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      soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      How old are you my friend ? It doesn't take a history book to see the degradation. Not unless you havn't been around that long. Are you stating that the liberties that have been given to our modern day society is an upgrade? This is not a judgement call,  but a recognize fact. Unless one has not awaken from their eluded state. Self destruction starts withs self denial. Until we are willing to deal with the truth, we will continue to be held hostage by the lies of our own personal reality. Take Care

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         china manposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         This is exactly the point - the truth is that morals are just rules imposed by others, for their own reasons of which not many are good ones. Generally societies have grown out of the idea that there is a sky father who deals with everything so we can do what we like and not pay the 'moral' bill if we repent, regularly, and loudly is good. Now most people understand that we are responsible for our own actions and ethical values replace moral values.
         In any period of time when the old ways collapse there is a period of readjusting to the new way, like now there is no clear new way being promoted that provides any real guidance for people who don't want, or have the time, to think about it themselves.

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            Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Really? You don't say? Hmmm.......?
            
            Apparently, you haven't read my profile or my hubs.

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               china manposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Hi Cagsil - I have read some of your stuff - and I like your viewpoint - but don't think you are the new way of life, or messiah if you like, or even a prophet yet. Your stuff is talking around the issues and I can agree with it - but I don't see it changing society to the better place you envisage.

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                  Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Do me a favor would you? Don't insult me. I'm not claiming to be a prophet or anything pathetically divine. Common-sense and MORAL standards for living need to be reset.
                  
                  Dude, you must be smoking something?
                  
                  My hubs are all about holding oneself fully accountable for their own actions and to live with a higher moral standard, for which, already exists, but people neglect.

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                     china manposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     As I clearly said - I mostly agree with what you say - it is maybe a bit woolly and life according to cagsil - and there is nothing wrong with that but it is not the answer to life and everything.

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                        Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        Simply being true to yourself and honest with others, by a higher moral standard, then everything else falls into place.
                        
                        You don't need to give "it" a name. And, Cagsil doesn't require followers. It will need consumers eventually, since it is a for-profit company, when I'm done designing everything included.

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                           Denno66posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                           Let me know when the Tee-Shirts hit the market.

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                           JeanMeriamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                           There is no higher moral standing without love and caring. I think what we are seeing is lack.

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                              soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                              I agree Jean. Love is the foundation of the builder and part of this is allowing us to find the correct ways in bettering our own lives.

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                              Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                              Hey Jean, how are you today?
                              
                              Your statement about there being NO higher moral standing without love and caring?  I'm not disagreeing with you....but I'd hate to break the bad news. Your morals standard?? Has nothing to do with your emotions, because moral actions are simply that actions.
                              
                              Emotions are amoral. They are not right or wrong. Actions are either right or wrong. Sometimes, even the actions are morally wrong, even when those actions have a positive effect on people, because it will help others, but hurt other people. This makes the action morally wrong.
                              
                              I will agree with you....if you want to use a moral standard, it would be nice to have love and caring, part of the overall, but not actually required.
                              
                              Morality is about Integrity. A person with Integrity and honesty in their actions is one who has the key to understanding.

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                                 JeanMeriamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                                 Hi cagsil,
                                 
                                 I’m never going to do any hubs, because the conversations are so interesting ;-)
                                 
                                 I believe caring is what causes us to create those moral standards, even if it is only the caring for our own well being.
                                 
                                 I look at this from an attachment perspective. If you look closely at our prison populations, you will find rampant attachment disorder and mild brain damage. A child with FASD is 80% likely to end up in the criminal system. They appear or are lacking in conscience. They are lacking the same neurological links as a child with attachment disorder lack. Attachment disorder is caused by a lack of caring on the part of caregivers.
                                 
                                 Without the love and caring of others, the child’s brain goes through physiological changes, links that should be made are not. The child fails to attach to others and thereby does not attach to humanity as a whole. They do not gain empathy for others. Without this empathy the conscience does not develop. Without a conscience you cannot decipher right from wrong so moral standards do not develop.
                                 
                                 In short, lack of love causes brain damage. And that brain damage shows itself in lack of empathy for others. You cannot make a moral decision if you do not have the neurological connections to do so. You can not have integrity and honesty in actions unless you have the capability to do so. And that capability begins to develop at conception. Some mothers drink and thwart that capability (to me that is a lack of love given to the fetus). After birth we have that opportunity to give love to the child as well. If it is not given the brain does not develop properly.
                                 
                                 I saw a site where it showed that yes science can explain love, etc. It showed the little lit up sections of the brain. Failed to mention that if you did not receive love as an infant, those little sections don’t work unless someone works very hard to attach (give love) to that child and get those neurones firing. And no I am not talking about just the physical. Children in orphanages get food, bedding etc, but are notoriously attachment disordered because they did not receive love.

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                                    Pandoras Boxposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                                    Jean said "I’m never going to do any hubs, because the conversations are so interesting ;-)"
                                    
                                    Yeah me too. I hate forums, but I love them!
                                    
                                    And I quoted your whole post here because I agree with this and think it is well said. Nothing new, I don't think it's anything new, but I agree 100% that children who are shown real love grow into loving and respectful adults. There is a whole lot a parent can do 'wrong' as long as they get this one thing right. And I'd add that love isn't just indulgence. 
                                    
                                    I was unaware of the medical facts your post supplied. Thanks for posting about this.

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                     soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     WOW!

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            Sab Ohposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            "Generally societies have grown out of the idea that there is a sky father who deals with everything so we can do what we like and not pay the 'moral' bill if we repent, regularly, and loudly is good. Now most people understand that we are responsible for our own actions and ethical values replace moral values"
            
            I do not believe that to be an accurate statement or proper assessment.

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               soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Morality is simply a modificaton of behaviour and conduct. We all desire these standards that  will not only implement self respect, but respect for our fellow  neighbor. Which protects the safety of our society. It is a known principle that what we plant into this life will one day be harvest. Without  inward maturity yeee, what more can we aspect. Nice statement.

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   goldenpathposted 14 years ago

   I look forward to reading the many hubs that you will compose in the future.  I foresee becoming a fan!
   
   It is interesting.  Having the opportunity to interview thousands of youth over the years a pattern has emerged that exemplifies the importance of structure in the home.  The pattern of society over the past thirty years show the home lacking in boundaries for the children.  A massive lack of "right and wrong" emerged and has manifested itself into the integrity "compromising" society we live in today.  At root and heart a child wants boundaries set.  They want the teachings that they thirst for - of right and wrong.  Instead many are being raised with the same "entitlement" attitudes that their parents had and probably grew up with as well.  This "receive without effort" mentality has given way to deceit, theft, crime, hate, intolerance and the depleted sense of self worth which is the most damaging.
   
   At the same time I have interviewed youth with such stalwart character that infuses hope into those around them.  These are our future leaders.  These are our hope.  These have nurtured self worth and have made it a point to magnify it through learning and growing.  I have also noticed that these have exceptional charity and empathy for their peers.  This is good to see and prompts me to declare them a "royal generation".
   
   All children are precious and are worthy of greatness.  As adults and leaders we are endowed with the responsibility, and yes even duty, to calculate our every step in life for the betterment of our self, family and nation.  This must be done without the vice of pride or all will be lost.  With it our leaders would be installing valid programs to teach self reliance, innovation and responsibility.  With it parents would rediscover the value and essence of love in the home.
   
   We have much to learn.

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      soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      My words, this is good eating. You hit it right on the nail. The youth of today understand that correction is the indicatior of genuine love. If an individual does not love their child enough to give them correct instructions, they are literally bating them for destruction. Meaning the ways of destruction seek them as bate. And most likely their parents lacked instruction themselves.
      
      Most children realize in some odd way that love is born out of a sense of caring.  Even if they do not receive it in the home, but through an outside teacher. When someone cares about your well being it brings about a sense of worth.  When I speak with teenagers and they complain to me about the bountaries their parents have set in place. My questions to them are very clear.
      
      What if no one ever loved you enough to protect you from the dangers that are out of your veiw? What if the parents that were put in place to protect you and teach you the fundamentals in life endangered you. Parents that could make you a decent human being ,you complain about. What if they could simply care less about your well being? Would this make you feel better?  They always respond with a no.  Parents are not just there to give you authority and shelter or to clothe and feed you. It's  part of their assignment to allow themselves to utlilize as a means to a better way of life, as model so to speak.  Breaking the will or the spirit of a child and order to gain authority are the worse parenting skills I have encountered.
      
      Of course it is all in the teaching, which again goes back to right and wrong and the understanding of the whole. Which brings about  a significant foundation. But it seem that each childs upbringing may affect them  differently though they may come from the same structure. Like those you have mention. There are those that have sought to nurtured their own self image, determined within themselve to defy all that stands  before them to disgard their true character. This is not easly herald with so much right being made wrong and vica versa. This royal generation must be persistant and whole true to the solidity of their own inner value. While you are very provoking.
      
      Great Insight, I'm already a fan.lol

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   Ohmaposted 14 years ago

   The issues with the youth in our society is not going to stop unless and until our government stops interfering with parent's rights.
   Our rights to teach and discipline our children as we see fit. There ore so many places that the government steps in and says no-no, or you have to do, but when it comes right down to it they want to blame the parents when something goes wrong.
   If I am not allowed to discipline my child then do not grouse at me when you turn an undisciplined young adult lose upon society.

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      PrettyPantherposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I'm confused by this.  Are you saying that there are disciplinary actions you would take, or have taken, with your children that were prevented by the government or were illegal?

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         Ohmaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I am saying that regardless of how found-less the accusations are once the government is involved in a case where a child cries foul the family is subjected to a living nightmare. I do not believe in corporal punishment But I do think that with the kids these days the know the system to well and they know how to use it.

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            PrettyPantherposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Okay, that clarifies it.  Thank you.

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               Ohmaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               
               
               Pretty Panther glad I cleard it up I wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong impression of me. Thanks for expressing your confusion about my post.

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            Pandoras Boxposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            So the child is a blackmailing monster, and that's the government's fault because they have set up systems to detect and prevent child abuse? I don't buy it. If the child is a lying, blackmailing monster who would call and report his parents or guardians for child abuse when it hasn't occurred, or threaten to do so, then there has been something missing in that child's development. It isn't the government's job to teach our children morals or ethics, or love and respect for their guardians/parents.
            
            Sorry.

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               EmpressFelicityposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               I don't buy the "it's the government's fault" bit either, but I do think you've overlooked something.  It isn't just parents who affect a child's development, it's their peers.  Some children are easily led and if they get the message from their friends that it's possible to blackmail their parents/grandparents in this horrendous fashion, and that doing so leads to rewards, then they'll be tempted to give it a go as well.

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                  Pandoras Boxposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  And that's when they should be quickly and surely shown that it won't work.

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      soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      If there is no correction or discipline within the home, of course not abuse we are already in tremendous trouble. If you do not discpline your child now, the Cops will do it later. Where there are no teaching or bountaries given within the home, failure is inevidable.

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      Pandoras Boxposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      You're allowed to discipline your child, you're just not allowed to beat him to a pulp or chain him to a tree or such. In what way would you like to discipline your child that the government won't allow?

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   RKHenryposted 14 years ago

   There is not much a society can do, about parents who choose to be lousy.

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      TattoGuyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      My parents were ok but we were born into upper class !

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      Ohmaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      but it does not do anything about offering less restrictions for parents who are truely trying to bring thier kids up right either. My 13 year old Grandson told me the other day that if i took his xbox from him because of his grades he would tell his teacher I beat him.
      I handed him the phone told him to call 911 and tell them they will need to bring CYP because he would need a new home.
      Kids these days now there parents have no control. Lousy parents or lousy system?

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         shazwellynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         As i said... just blame it on the parents!  Thats what everyone else does!!  My hub tackles this issue and why.  No more community and no more discipline.  Whatever a  parent does is wrong... they is no way they can win!
         
         Im not promoting, but you really need to read my hub 'blame it on the parents'.
         
         Love, peace and harmony x

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         Pandoras Boxposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Are you seriously trying to suggest that the system made your grandson a smart-butt, lying little jerk?

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      soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      WOW!

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   rebekahELLEposted 14 years ago

   here's part of a comment left on one of my hubs written by a 28 year old male, I think his words speak wisdom. we always want to blame. morals are character. we can teach our children integrity and respect but morals or character are shaped. I get real tired of hearing the 'blame it on the government' argument. it starts at home, that is where character is shaped.
   my parents did not once blame their problems on the government even though they didn't always agree with the current administration. they taught us values and respect.
   here's the comment:
   "The "losing our values" topic is a popular belief and has a lot to do with what I call the "Legend Effect". We look at something from the past, idolize it, turn it into something bigger than it was, and in most cases recreate the events in our memory TOTALLY WRONG from what they actually were. Then get upset when we compare it to the now and it doesn't live up ...
   
   Was there not civil unrest in medieval Europe hundreds of years ago? Were there not family feuds, corruption, people eating dinner in separate rooms? Did fathers not leave their families for months at a time to campaign and win bread? Did woman not work tirelessly all day to support the household?
   
   In some ways we are more connected, more social, and more open to progressive trends than ever before - in the history of the world. So this whole idea that we are "losing our precious value system" seems to me like either one of two things could be happening ...
   
   1. We are simply more conscious of a problem that has always existed, and by virtue of "just noticing it" we think it is new.
   
   2. We are un-wiling to do the work our "legends" were and are hence forth upset when the result differs."

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      soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      It is true,  that the forming of human character starts within the home. Trust me many of the problems that exist today were hidden so far back in the closet, I truly had no idea. Even in media, profanity was not allowed. Remember?  The conscious of our nation was well aware of the damage that could be done to a childs psyche that was exposed to something he or she was unable to down load before they were mature enough to understand. In my err they not only protected the conscious of the youth but the adults had to search out their dirty desires. It wasn't as readly available as it is now.

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         Mark Knowlesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I think you are deluding yourself. We have had and continue to have a problem that was actively buried away. Child sexual abuse has been a rampant part of our society for decades - perhaps longer. The fact that churches and society in general was prepared to hide it does not make it go away. Just look at the recent report in Ireland.
         
         I am not sure where this rose tinted view of the recent past comes from, but we have had 2 World Wars in the recent past, a depression that was engineered and numerous banking, political and church scandals. 
         
         Think Rwanda, Yugoslavia and the systemic sexual abuse of children by Irish priests.
         
         And you think the degradation of moral character is recent?
         
         This is an ongoing problem caused in great part by religious intolerance and idea that we are worthless, accompanied with the systematic abuse of the population at large by the churches, banks, corporations and political system. There are 4 tools used to keep the population downtrodden:
         
         1. Debt created by the central banks.
         2. Hope created by a ridiculous idea that everything will change next election.
         3. Religion - a promise that all will be well after you are dead and this life is not really important.
         4. Media - keeps you distracted and feeds you misinformation
         
         I made a list of the so-called moral standards that you seem to think we have "lost" recently which was prompted by another thread similar to this one where the OP was complaining at the "recent" loss of morals since the bible was removed from the classroom in 1965. SO I went back from there to see what we had lost:
         
             * 1964 - Segregation  was still in full swing in the United States
             * 1961 - US troops began pouring into Vietnam in great number
             * 1950 - The U.S. Navy sprays bacteria from ships over San Franciso to test the extent of infection.
             * 1945 - The first Atomic Bomb was dropped on a civilian population
             * 1939-1945 The second great World War
             * 1935 - The Nuremburg Race Laws against Jews are decreed and The Holocaust begins
             * 1929-1942 - The great depression ravaged the world
             * 1914-1918 - The first of the great World Wars took 16 million souls to sit next to baby Jesus
             * 1913 - The Federal reserve Act was passed
             * 1869 - The "Aboriginal protection Act" was passed allowing 100,000's of Australian aboriginal children to be forcibly removed from their families and placed with white christian families for upbringing. This continued until late 1960's
             * 1865 - Slavery was abolished in the United States
         
         http://hubpages.com/hub/christians-on-hubpages
         
         What exactly is it you think we have lost recently?

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            zahra omerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            i agree with soldout1 on one account,that the children of today really are losing their innocence,but the parents  are primarily to be blamed for that ,because no matter which kind of environment exists outside the home,it is the environment inside the home that really matters...im not saying outside influences dont account,its just that they can be minimized to a great extent if the parents are willing to invest their time and energy in their children 's upbringing,which ,unfortunately is lacking today. However i dnt think religion can  be blamed for the degradation of our society,i think the opposite is true,our society is deteriorating because we dont follow the values our religions teach,every religion preaches about love and peace,if people only followed their own religion,the world wouldnt be in such a mess!!

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               Mark Knowlesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Wow - Did you actually read what I wrote?
               
               Apparently not.

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                  Faybe Bayposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  I guess they didn't read what I wrote either. Not self promoting, but it is on topic and about moral degredation. I did not have the heart to tell  them religion isn't fixing this problem yet.

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                     Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     The religious intolerance around the globe, not to mention, the bible and religion, are so misconstrued it's not even funny.

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                  zahra omerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  there have always been outlaws in society but now the amount of people involved in criminal activiteis is increasing all over the world and no one can deny that,u only have to compare  the crime rates of today with that of the past to see that! every other day we hear of students going on a shooting spree in schools and collleges,and of people keeping their own children captive and abusing them...these things did happen n the past as well,but their  rate has increaded over the past decades.

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                  Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  

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            soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            So are you saying that there has been an improvement, simply because the crimes against humanity are no longer in open sight? Nothing has really improved, but quite the contrary. Just because it has been remove from plain sight doesn't mean that these problems no longer exist. Never once did I indicate a time in which this degradation begin. But yet the affects of its consistancy. Which spoken in your own words have been generating for quite sometime now. Where living in the greatest err of deception then ever before. By the way it was actually September 22, 1862 that the
            
            Emancipation Proclamation was first put into place. It took 3  years before it came to pass.  Yet still there is no acknowledgement of this date, its not even listed on the calender as an historical memorandum or celebration of the freedom of this people. This should tell you something. The nations are in more trouble now then it has ever been in the history of the world. The deception will be expose suddenly when seemingly all is well. Slavery is bondage to any system that hinders and prevents the reunion of anyone moving toward their true inner being. Being so occupied by ones own outer life and circumstances, not even realizing that there is so much more that lies within. There is only one thing I can say about the holocaust at this time, it is remembered in history. Yes my brother the degradation of moral character has caused a great descent and the nation continue to descend. Thanks for the history listen.

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               Sab Ohposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               "By the way it was actually September 22, 1862 that the Emancipation Proclamation was first put into place."
               
               It was actually issued on January 1st, 1863. The preliminary proclamation on Sept 22 was basically a warning to the South that if they did not stop fighting he would issue a formal proclamation.
               
               " It took 3  years before it came to pass."
               
               Not sure what you mean by "came to pass." It was an executive order that was in force from the moment it was issued.
               
               "Yet still there is no acknowledgement of this date, its not even listed on the calender as an historical memorandum or celebration of the freedom of this people."
               
               Juneteenth is still celebrated by many across the country.

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               Mark Knowlesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               No - I am saying that you are deluding yourself that things were much better way back and have some how gotten worse. I have just listed a few things that happened in the last 100 years or so and you prefer to ignore them in your current quest to show that moral character has degraded.
               
               Less than 100 years ago 16 million people died in WWI. Many of them slowly and in pain from that wonderful invention "mustard gas."
               
               How do you see us as having gotten worse than this exactly? What is your agenda here? What do you propose? I see you posted this in "religion" so I assume you have some religious agenda.
               
               We have no morals. We have never had any morals. All this talk of morals goes out the window when political (and I include religion in that) or economic wants take over.
               
               Sure - there are no slaves in the US - we use Chinese children in sweat shops instead.
               
               Sure -  it is illegal to torture prisoners in the US - you do it in Gitmo instead.
               
               Moral character starts at the top - and the top does not have any  never has and never will. It is about time we looked at our political and religious system and saw the flaws. We have no incentive to develop any morals all the time we allow ourselves to be spoon fed nonsense from the TV and allow ourselves to be pushed so far into debt we have to spend 90% of our energy just to buy the crap the TV tells us we need.
               
               Switch off your TV, ditch the religious clap trap that no one follows, refuse to shop at WalMart or drive the latest SUV and make some changes. Bitching about the "good old days" that never were is not doing any good at all. 
               
               

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                  Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Well said Mark.

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                  JeanMeriamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  I would have to completely disagree with you about slaves. The slave trade is alive and well and kids in sweatshops is the least of it. We changed the name to human trafficking.

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                     soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     Thank You.

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                  soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Of course I read what you said. Did you read my hub?  Why must I have  an agenda?  What, are you looking for... some type of fight?  You are off to the wrong start Mark. No one 's whining about anything here and religion has nothing to do with anything. And when it comes to Morals, you're really the only person you can speak for.  This hub speaks about the degradation of Moral Character and the responsibilties of the household. The Hub that is.
                  
                  All the quotes made by your previous response were to prove what point ?That you partially know your history.Your response prove exactly what I've said, the degradation of morality. Which is your  behaviour and conduct. To degrade in any form is degradation. Which simple means a demoralization or to reduce the standards and character of a another human being. Because in the end, its all about respect. This generation will speak for me and make a believer out of you. They will refuse you the respect you may think you have earn or even deserve. The top has nothing to do with my inner existance as a human being. The wars of the past have all ways been about controll. Even to this very day the blood shedd of americans on foreign soil continue to increase.   
                  
                  History continue's to repeat itself, but only on a larger scale. Its just dressed up a little bit better. Why an agenda?  Maybe I lack the intelligence it might take for me to understand a history buff such as yourself. You think?  Take Care.

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                     Mark Knowlesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     So - no = you did not read what I said at all. Sorry - you posted this in "religion" did you not?
                     
                     Sorry you do not understand what I am saying, but using semantics is not helping. You are claiming that our "moral character" is being degraded.I say you are fooling yourself because it has never been any better  and has not been degraded recently. What do you not understand about that?
                     
                     I never said you were not intelligent. I never demanded any respect. I even offered some suggestions to improve things - but you are not interested are you?
                     
                     What hub? You have written no hubs. You started a discussion thread which I disagree with. I have provided proof that we were no better in recent history. I can go further back if you like. I even asked you a question.
                     
                     Just what exactly is it that you miss from the last hundred years? Segregation? The rumble of artillery? What? We have and are moving forwards, yet you harken back to a time when it was better and our "moral character" was more robust. When was this exactly?

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                  Pandoras Boxposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Mark I know in some forums it's considered bad form to comment merely to show support to another person's post without actually adding anything constructive to the discussion yourself, but you are so right, and your posts have been so clear and so right on that I can't help it.
                  
                  Great posts. Others have said it and explained that this is the old cry of the sky is falling, but you really hit all of the nails on their heads.

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            shazwellynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Whenever you have humans you have human behaviour.  This is corrupt.  Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!
            
            Marx and marxism was an ideal which, in theory, is fair and just.  The one thing that Marx didnt account for was human behaviour... and so you  have it...degregation is about human behaviour and negative behaviour breeds negative behaviour.
            
            Mark Knowels is right... human behaviour has been the same whatever part of history you enter. 
            
            Love to you all x

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               Shlomo SL Abrinposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Marx did, in fact, did account for one aspect of human behavior he, and I believe rightfully so, found to be at cause for most human-upon-human suffering. That would be greed.
               
               Unlike historians before him, Marx did not consider the roots of human development to be spiritual or philosophical, but rather from the 'bottom-up' i.e basic needs of food, sex, shelter, and security. It is a 'materialistic' view of humankind.
               
               As sympathetic as I may be to this, I'm not sure I would call his solutions fair, even in theory. Marx does advocate what many churches preach regarding wealth and abuse of power. Marx took it a step further and demanded that human beings not wait until the alleged afterlife before things get 'evened' out.

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            china manposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Really good reply - right on the nail !!

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    Susana Sposted 14 years ago

    I think that moral character is actually improving, not being degraded. In addition to Mark's list, if we look a bit further back and consider things like public hangings as social events (bring your picnic!), witch burnings, exceptionally cruel methods of torture, the slave trade etc. then I think it's clear that in general morality has improved and will continue to improve.

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       soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Now they have sex slaves and all kind of slave tradings going on, its hasn't stop. Its just no longer legal. The hangings are no longer open for public display. But yet many Black Laws still exist in the south today which continue to strangle the life out of equality and justice for all.
       
       Things have not gotton better, there just not readly exposed. Those that once hide behind sheets now hide behind positions of justice. But injustice knows no race, neither does the corruption that follow. Its good, the earth is in travil and is causing upheaval as a result of human corruption. But really it all good.
       
       Good point

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          Susana Sposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          
          
          After I wrote my post I started thinking that yes, in some places in the world these things are still going on (slavery, executions, torture etc). Yet, I still see an upward trend. I think there is more exposure than ever before due in large part to the internet - it's harder for countries to hide their crimes. And more people can be disgusted and outraged at the terrible things that happen because of the quick transfer of info in real time. See what happened in Iran recently and how the internet had a major part in the way it played out. There will always be bad people, but humanity as a whole is moving forwards. Maybe I'm just an optimist, but that's how I see it.

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             JeanMeriamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             The slave trading is going on in North America, not “some other country"

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                Susana Sposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                
                
                I'm in the UK and yes, there are a lot of sex slaves being brought over from various countries, mainly by people of their own country. I think the difference is, is that a few hundred years ago we would all have had a slave or two and thought nothing of it, since heck those blacks aren't even really human. That was the normal attitude of the population and lawmakers back then.
                
                Now the normal attitude of the population is that it is wrong - we are all human and each one should be treated with dignity and respect. Slavery is illegal and those forcing people into slavery will receive very heavy penalties. That's a positive shift.

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                   qwarkposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                   Susana:
                   The biblical "god" thing says: (paraphrase) hey guys, it's ok to have slaves and ya can beat em too! Np!......and if yer kids are misbehaving, take 'em out to where there are "bears!" let the bears kill em. I'm sure ya've read that?
                   Are we "hubbing" about "moral degradation?"
                   Sheesh!

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                      Susana Sposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                      
                      
                      Thankfully a lot of us have moved forward from that kind of BS! Still those who in todays world believe in the bible literally  might think it's ok to take slaves and beat them and do horrendous things to their kids??? Punishment, cruelty and domination are good things right?

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                   JeanMeriamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                   I don’t know about the UK. Here the problem is both people bringing in sex slaves from their own countries under the guise of employment, and within the country. There is a system? of slaves being traded within the country and some then south into the states. My province actually is one having the most difficulty with this.
                   http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/275583
                   
                   It’s not just the Native population though, our white girls are being lured from Facebook groups and stuff, under the the guise of modelling agencies etc. I don’t understand why parents don’t watch their kids facebook accounts better.

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             soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

             That's Great, this will be the start of real change, Optimision. Having an inner vision. Take Care and Stay positive it works.

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       shazwellynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Unfortunately in some parts in the world this is still happening... e.g. stoning women for sins until death, the electric chair, hangings.
       
       Have things really changed?
       
       Peace x

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    Faybe Bayposted 14 years ago

    I think I have a hub on this subject.
    
    http://hubpages.com/hub/Taken-The-Reali … -the-Movie

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    Rochelle Frankposted 14 years ago

    "The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers.
    
    ATTRIBUTION: Attributed to SOCRATES by Plato, according to William L.
    Patty and Louise S. Johnson, Personality and Adjustment, p. 277
    (1953)."

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       soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       This is what I've been saying. It takes a lot of courage to stand up for any truth today. I love Plato and Socrates and Hegel and so many more. These are excellent study guides. Take Care.

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    JeanMeriamposted 14 years ago

    I really don’t think we are seeing moral degradation. People have been jerks since there were people. I think we may actually be getting better. We at least have laws against most of the bad things we see happening, now. Slavery for instance was commonly held as being okay. If we see an article in the paper about someone being kidnapped as a slave now we’re appalled.
    
    The first post refers to a boy shooting someone. At one time that boy would have been hung or his hands chopped off. These days we will look into his background, offer mental treatment and rehabilitation. Does this make things worse or better, I don’t know.
    
    Kids are the way they are because parents neglect to be parents. You see ads in the paper for people looking for daycare centres for 3 month olds, etc. Kids are treated like royal pains. I’ll buy you anything, but just go away. It causes attachment problems. So does lack of discipline. My kids go online and I see their friends facebook statuses “Anybody got a bong” “Getting wasted tonight” “Just gave my bf a bj” These are 13-15 year old kids. And if I know what these kids are doing, why don’t their parents know? And that is a very small minority of kids.
    
    Actually most of the teens I know are better than I was at their age. They know more. They’re more globally minded. The dropout rates have dropped. The girls have less self value, but that’s our older generations to blame not theirs. They aren’t the ones making the videos and tv shows. The sleazy singers and stuff aren’t that way to impress the kids.13 year old girls aren’t all over the net to see Britney’s new boobs. It’s the generations before them that are the problem. Why do little girls run around looking like ho’s? Take a look at what they’re fathers and grandfathers value.
    
    I think the next generation will be better adults. They don’t dehumanize people as much. It’s always been the idiots who get all the attention. You see in the paper “so and so beat and killed their kid” You never see “Bob was a really awesome father today: cooked supper, tucked the kids into bed with a story and goodnight kiss.”  Same with the kids. My kid’s schools take food bank collections, have peer support groups,newcomers clubs,students tutoring students, etc. You’ll never see that on the news. You’ll see Columbine.
    
    Our moral degradation is a farce played out in the media.

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       soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       This is so good and honest.  I think that this generation wants better. All of your points are on cue.   When it comes to toleratering ignorance, it takes a great deal of  maturity.  Your statements about the news, well you you do realize that news isn't news anymore unless its Negative I'm afraid. There is hope, this I am for sure. I have some pretty great kids myself, one has already graduated college and one is still attending.
       
       I do allow expression, but without disrespect. I look young, but I am apart of the baby bloomer err, and being disrepectful to my Elder's is hard for me to do. I just wasn't brought up this way. I love children, I recently move from the East to the West. The kids are perishing in large numbers here, gangs and everything.  Again your points were outstanding.

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    marcel285posted 14 years ago

    It's not difficult to see why degradation of moral character does nothing but increase with every generation.. There are adults here at hubpages, whom have kids, and communicate with other adults in a childish and degrading way. Ego's are a key problem with this issue. People need to get over themselves, and learn how to love and accept and forget how to hate and reject.
    
    People are generally set on what they think and believe, and this is where egos come in, because most people like to think that they know best. It's okay not to agree with someone, but generally when people don't agree, they get hostile.
    
    Personally, i'm disgusted that people, people who like to think that they are responsible and mature adults, can be so f******* ugly.

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       soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Words Of Wisdom.

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    earnestshubposted 14 years ago

    Nothing has changed. Same as it ever was. Societies morals are no more in decline now than before, we just have better communication!
    By the way my little ones have been watching TV for years, they have learnt more than any other generation before them.
    If you select what they watch, they will learn from it very quickly. The children of today are marvellous, and the bad stats are simply a result of having more people and better communication.
    Stop bashing our kids. This is the best generation ever!

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       china manposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Hear hear !!   They do also have the advantage of following us - should make it easier for theme to be better

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       soldout1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Actually this topic wasn't intended to focus on our Kids, but the morality of a country. The child was just an example of our Modeling system as leader. Sorry About That, I love my Kids also. Take Care

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       Pandoras Boxposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I agree! My kids are the best, and each one of them is ten times better than I ever was, far more innocent than I at their age, and have so much respect for others it amazes me.
       
       My son, who has been playing violent video games for at least 8 or 10 years now, told me he didn't want to join the military because he didn't want to ever have to willfully kill someone. In dealing with one of his schoolmates who can be quite obnoxious he is way too kind. I asked him about it, commenting that I wouldn't be so nice to the dumbf***, and he replied that the dumbf*** had problems at home and my son figures that the dumbf***'s life will always be crappy.
       
       I was amazed. I taught him that, to understand others and have compassion, but he takes it to a level I probably never could. I am now in a position where I have to look up to my son who is not even an adult yet, both physically because he outgrew me years ago, and mentally, because he outgrew me there as well.
       
       Yes, not all kids today are so perfect as mine, but in all of history they never were. They're -we're- only getting better.

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    sneakorocksolidposted 14 years ago

    It's not degredated it's almost extinct! I'm sorry, it's no different folks, it has been a continous slide for years. We're approaching our Caligula phase.

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       china manposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       This is the christian viewpoint I think - because your children have rejected your faulty morals is not the problem - the problem is that you have not taught them the other ways to go. Enlighten up ! 

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          Sab Ohposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          So the problem is that YOU don't like Christianity? My, how original...

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             china manposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Why don't you go and bother a different grown up with your mindless empty comments?

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                Sab Ohposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                I won't say the same to you. You have the right to your opinions and to have your say.

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          sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          I don't think you have a clue about what you're talking about but if you need help I'll gladly help you.

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             china manposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             I have more than a clue - what I know comes from a long period of intense religious instruction and then the comparative enlightenment of philosophy. And it is a very simple 'truth' that morals are only what you think they should be - and they come from the same place that produced the inquisition, condoned slavery and its practitioners in many countries have been shown to be the worst kind of human being.  Ethics creates guidelines for living that deal with issues of an evolving society that come from reason - not blind faith in some ancient words from ancient societies with ancient science and thinking.

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                Sab Ohposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                I love it when people talk of "enlightenment" and proclaim the "truth" because they are so highly "evolved"!

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                   Mark Knowlesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                   Says the troll who has already been banned once.

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                   china manposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                   If you could actually read and understand any of this stuff it would be worth replying just for politeness

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                      Sab Ohposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                      That's another good one: "If only you were capable of understanding like I do"!

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                         china manposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                         No - just understanding any of it like an adult, if you started posting like an adult or maybe even having something to say would be good.

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                            Sab Ohposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                            Once again the value of my posts and opinions are graced by your superior judgement. I guess I'll just have to wait until I am enlightened so I can then declare my opinions the objective truth.

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    earnestshubposted 14 years ago

    Well sneak, I see it differently. My kids are thriving, decent, moral and so are all the friends they have that I have met. I think today's children are not at all corrupted, just better informed.

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       sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Well I don't know Australia very well but I know our TV's don't show the Howdy-Doody show! I took my son a 20y/o to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl we went down to Burbon street and my son stood in the middle of that street with his hands on his hips. He said how could this happen in America! Look at the families with kids here! I said nothing he hasn't developed any of the prejudices of our sociaty yet. I was proud of my son but ashamed of our leaders.

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    Cagsilposted 14 years ago

    Hey soldout1,
    
    You might want to get your act together, before you decide to make yourself look foolish.
    
    As Mark Knowles has already pointed out to you, but you've not paid attention- YOU haven't written a HUB?
    
    You have simply posted a Forum thread/Discussion on the topic of Degradation of Moral Character. This isn't a blog...it's a FORUM.
    
    There is a difference. Also, there are differences between a Blog and that of a Hub.
    
    You want to do good. Then, Click "Start a New Hub" and go and write your thoughts.
    
    But, whatever you do....please do get your facts straight.
    
    Thank you for your time and Have a great day!

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    donotfearposted 14 years ago

    Bravo Goldenpath!!!!   Four stars ****

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    Shlomo SL Abrinposted 14 years ago

    Good topic.
    
    Both children and adults are overstimulated by media and overwhelmed in trying to attain all the pleasures that commercial media markets to them.
    
    Ask a child to go one day without a video game and see the look of terror that comes over his face. Although there would be a hundred other activities available, the child's physical brain (not just mind)is so attached to the gaming that he cannot even imagine doing anything else for a time. Most adults are no better.
    
    There are no morals left because we live in a commercially driven world. Corporations are so desperate for profits that they abandon all sense of responsibility to workers and consumers. They use any means permitted (or necessary) to entice us into purchasing their product or service. The advertisers know what trips our 'triggers'.
    
    Most children (and some adults) don't distinguish between 'want' and 'need'. Something they 'want' always becomes something they absolutely need. The instant gratification grows and is fed by that inability to differentiate. How many times can someone NOT get what they 'need' and not become enraged?
    
    Constant disappointment, justified or not, leads to rage, passive-aggressive behaviors, and escapism. If we lived in a commercially quieter world, there would be less wanting and more appreciation of needs already fulfilled.

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       china manposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I agree but think it is more than this - everything is geared to what the new commercial kings and emperors want - not to the needs of society. And the media churn out what is needed for us to believe that their wants are ours, and unbelievable numbers think it their own thoughts.
       
       Oh - also welcome to Hubpages !

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          Shlomo SL Abrinposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Agreed and thank you!

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