Paoli High School

Paoli, Oklahoma
Teacher: Melinda Alfred

 

 

 

The Role Of Personal Responsibility In Improving

The Quality Of Life In Our Communities Today.

by J.D. Bostic

12th grade

 

 

In order to improve our communities our individual personal roles must first coincide or work together. A community goal must be established and met by the members of the community. In today’s society, this is a difficult feat to accomplish. Yet if we attain a reasonable and worthy goal, it is possible for all to agree and work in unison to complete that goal.  I would like to address four considerably worthy goals. How might we infuse character and values into our communities? In what ways may we decrease current divorce rates?  How can we remove fear and disdain that members of the oldest and youngest generation feel toward one another? Finally, how might we give the unemployed and those now employed in low-skill jobs more opportunities to advance in the work place.          

 

If we improve character and values in our communities divorce rates will in turn decrease, for these two factors are directly related. Most often character and values are best instilled through religion. As a community’s religious conviction declines its moral values and overall character also decline. In order to infuse character and values into our communities we must realize what is good and what is not. Things such as hatred, jealousy, and disrespect of others in the community will destroy character just as they will a marriage.  Religion can teach an individual trust and understanding of others.  Once such values are instilled, a community will often grow and work together. When people practice such values and show good character they tend to have better judgment in all aspects of life, thus divorce rates could decrease and a community would be much more satisfying to be a part of.

 

How can we remove fear and disdain that members of the oldest and youngest generations feel toward one another? First these groups must get to know one another and associate together, else there will never be a basis for one generation to understand the other. After these groups begin to associate, they will come to understand the basis of each others’ beliefs and feelings which can bring them to mutual agreement and allow them to find that they really have nothing to fear from each other. Though the only way to remove disdain felt towards each other both of the groups must be willing to compromise certain beliefs.

 

In what ways might we allow the unemployed and those who are currently employed in low-skill jobs to gain access to better jobs or advancement in their current field of employment? We can easily help the unemployed find work. Computer automated businesses and assembly lines take over the jobs of thousands of people, while many unemployed personnel would gladly take on the simplest of jobs just to have the sense that they were accomplishing something. Also many large corporations enlist work overseas for cheaper labor. This is partly the fault of the American people, because many of those who do have jobs are often striking for higher wages. Not too long ago workers, many of which are already paid fifteen to twenty dollars an hour at a GM automotive manufacturing plant struck for higher wages. And when they do receive higher wages the prices of vehicles will in turn go up, only hurting the pockets of those who do not receive equal wages. By providing jobs such as custodial work or running errands, individuals, especially of the older generation, can help those who are unemployed. Often an elderly person will pay for someone just to sit and visit with them. Those who are unemployed and who are employed in low-skilled jobs are often held back due to the lack of a college diploma. This is unfair because it can prevent people from showing what skills they possess, just because they do not have a piece of paper to tell them that they are talented.  Employers could help by allowing an employee to demonstrate their qualifications for advancement despite his or her lack of a college diploma or other degree.

 

So you see our personal responsibilities once closely analyzed are painfully obvious and immensely simple to attain. As long as we, young and old, are able and willing to join together in hopes of achieving one small goal after another in time we will reach the larger and more important goals which we have set. No matter what age, sex, race, or religion people belong to they can become important and respected figures in their communities. Their example will allow future generations to maintain the values, character, and understanding needed to work with their fellow man.