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Mar. 30, 2005 George W. Bush polarized an entire nation in 2004 over family values or the lack thereof. Family values and societal responsibility should go hand in hand. Where are the people of our society headed, especially in future generations, if they neglect to come back to societal responsibility and family values? In a book by Robert Moroney (1986, Ch.2) titled “Shared Responsibility-Family and Social Policy” Moroney makes the distinction that families, social services, and social policy should meld because they are the essence of the relationship between families and the state. Furthermore, he mentions that our social welfare system is built on implicit and explicit assumptions regarding families and familial responsibilities. Those responsibilities are expressed in our social services and policies and are more based on ideology, economic necessity, and myth than fact. He suggests that when you take away familial responsibility you create an irresponsible society. He feels that details like healthcare, education, morality, education, and upbringing should be left up to the family unit instead of being dictated by the government instead. Allowing the government to decide is prohibiting people from accepting responsibility for their actions or inactions. I understand why we thought that the welfare system would be the equalizer and at first I am sure it did some good for society, but in recent decades it has proven to be anything but that. Instead of helping families that are short on income, healthcare, education, morality, and upbringing we have taught them to accept hand outs indefinitely and how to manipulate the system to their end. We have failed to teach them how to fish by giving them their fish. If we continue along this pathway we are merely enabling them to continue to be irresponsible and doing nothing to help them to move forward and be part of changing their plight in life. The Buddhist teaches a different tact about social responsibility and perhaps one that we could all learn something from. Jack Kornfeld, author of “The Buddhist Path and Social Responsibility” says that we need to reconcile social services with responsible action. I agree and so did Presidents Carter and Regan. But how do we accomplish this? Philadelphia has set forth what they term as JOIN (Jobs and Opportunity to Improve Neighborhoods) whereby they hope to bring neighborhoods together with programs targeted at alleviating adult illiteracy, providing quality and affordable childcare tied into education and training for public service jobs. (www.libertynet.org) They are one of many cities in many states to move in this direction and make the welfare of the people in their state a priority. The web site www.bostonreview.net says that our failing welfare system is but part of a much larger breakdown between societal responsibility and family values. This crevice runs deep and stems from lack of economic security and self sufficiency. The author suggests that we need to create policies that are targeted at asset development whereby ALL Americans have the tools necessary to be self-sufficient and to succeed economically. Perhaps that is easier said than actually put into practice. If we can work together neighborhood by neighborhood and state by state to transform our current welfare system so that is creates more social and economic responsibility and fosters greater family values we are making a move in the right direction. The wrong direction is allowing our current antiquated system to reward those that have higher out-of-wedlock birth rates, demonstrated irresponsibility in sexual matters, and low or no social mores to fester. For information on how you can get involved contact your local social services department or your state representatives/congressmen and let them know you care enough to help be part of the solution. Reference: www.bostonreview.net www.libertynet.org Kornfeld, Jack (1993) The Buddhist Path and Social Responsibility, www.questia.com Moroney, Robert (1986) Shared Responsibility- Family and Social Policy, www.questia.com ------------ About the author: Michelle Malsbury was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. She attended Parkland College and the University of Illinois before graduating from the University of Phoenix with her degree in Business Management. Currently she is working on her master’s degree in Organizational Management while concurrently pursuing her lofty writing ambitions. Ms. Malsbury moved to south Florida in 1983 and resides between the Keys and Apalachicola, allowing her to experience the seasonal fluctuations between the southernmost and nearly northernmost beauty in the state of Florida. Travels have taken her from Europe through the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and across much of the United States. Michelle has been a bartender, real estate agent, flight attendant, beauty contestant, yacht broker, and commodities broker over the years, but writing is her passion. She enjoys outdoor activities like sailing, waterskiing, hiking, bike riding, working out, and fishing as well as reading, music, theatre, playing with her two amusing pets (Abu Chez, her 6 year old Australian Blue Heeler and Zack, her two year old yellow tabby cat) and writing. Michelle is a regular featured author on the web site Useless-Knowledge.com and enjoys exchanging points of view with her comrades there. “Three Years With Adonis” is the first to be published of several books that she has written and will be available early, to mid, 2005. In addition to “Three Years With Adonis”, she has authored four other books and three screenplays while continuing to explore all that life hands her. Email Michelle Malsbury: zackywacks@aol.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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