Harriman High School

Harriman, Tennessee

Teacher: Nancy Newcomb

 

THE REVOLUTION OF AMERICAN MORALS

By Ashley Smith

Grade 10

 

As the new millennium sits on our doorstep waiting to bring many new experiences to the lives of us all, many Americans are found reminiscing about the past. Looking at the past I notice that our society has made many drastic changes. In years passed, the woman has stayed home and cared for the children, divorce was looked down on, and having children out of wedlock was hardly ever seen.  As you can see, the standards of our society have gradually decreased.

           

The woman’s role has taken a turn for the better.  We now can have jobs, cars, and are equally independent as our male counterpart. We hold high ranking positions in the government and corporate America. As a result of this revolution the household structure has been extremely altered. With this newfound independence, it isn’t uncommon to see a single parent now, nor is it really shunned by society. Without the role of both parents in their life, children are being forced to make substitutions for parents. I think this will have a major impact on upcoming generations.

           

Marriage is said to be a sacred commitment between two people symbolizing love. This definition sounds great, but yet many people are straying away from marriage. More are choosing to live together for years without marriage, and even have children. These things were unheard of in earlier years. Recently we have seen divorce rates skyrocket. It seems to me that people are afraid of commitment. People in our society need to begin to take responsibility for their actions. Many children are born into single parent homes. The parent must manage caring for them while also creating a steady income for support. Thus, leaving the child with way too much time away from their parent. I believe this is the reason we have such a communication gap between our generations. It’s so common for parents to be working or not in the picture at all when children need or simply want to talk so when the time comes that you need to communicate you can’t. People seem to be unaware that habits you create during childhood tend to stay with your entire life. This period is what shapes your personality. If no one is at home to talk with you and show you the love that you need, then you tend to be less likely to share your feelings and problems with people when you are older.

           

Teen pregnancy is another rising dilemma in our society. I think this stems from the same neglect caused by the revolution of the household. I realize that not all cases are the same, but usually teens are yearning for the love that they never received or are simply being irresponsible. I don’t think that teens realize how serious it is to be raising a child as a child. This problem of pure ignorance could be a combination of issues. They could simply not be aware of the consequences of unprotected sex, or the answer could be much more complex. Some studies demonstrate things of this sort can be hereditary. For instance, if my mother had me at a young age then I might be prone to also have a child at a young age. The majority of these teenagers getting pregnant aren’t married, and if they do ever marry it isn’t to the parent of their child. As stated previously growing up in a single parent home can have a long lasting affect on a child.

           

As we reflect on the changes in our moral standards, one thing comes to mind, and that is God. I think many of the problems that we are faced with in our everyday life such as divorce and teen pregnancy could be solved simply by having faith in higher power. I’m not supporting any specific religion but religion itself. It seems that while our religion was being gradually reduced, our morals did the same. In the Bill of Rights it states that every American has the freedom of Religion. I refuse to believe this statement. We are no longer allowed to pray or worship in public. Talk of religion is not even permitted in public schools, and there are many more restrictions on this list. Fewer people attend church now than ever before, and children are being brought up with no religious backgrounds. No one seems to realize that when religion was strong these problems didn’t exist.

In conclusion I’d like to end this with an anonymous poem:

 

Now I sit me down in school, where praying is against the rule.

For this great nation under God, finds mention of him very odd.

 

If scriptures now the class recites, it violates the Bill of Rights.

And anytime my head I bow, becomes a federal matter now.

 

Our hair can be purple, orange or green, that is no offense; it’s a freedom scene.

 The law is specific, the law is precise. Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vise.

 

For praying in a public hall, might offend someone with no faith at all.

In silence alone we must meditate. God’s name is prohibited by the state.

 

We’re allowed to cuss and dress like freaks, and pierce our noses, tongues, and cheeks.

They’ve outlawed guns; but first the Bible. To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

 

We can elect a pregnant senior Queen, and the unwed daddy our senior King.

It’s inappropriate to teach right from wrong. We’re taught that such judgements don’t belong.

 

The Ten Commandments are not allowed. No word of God must reach this crowd.

It’s scary here I must confess. When chaos reigns the school a mess.

 

So lord this silent plea I make: My soul please take.

 

This poem really makes you think. Is it really necessary to have these restrictions on religion? We can’t seem to figure out why all of a sudden we have so many problems with drugs, violence, divorce, and teenage pregnancy. Well the answer could be sitting right above us.

 

Required Questions

 

Question 1

 

In Manus they invest financially in marriages. Large numbers of relatives invest dogs’ teeth and shell money. In the US we also invest financially but that is not the basis of our marriages as in Manus. Here we invest more emotionally in marriages. We tend to concentrate on the love and happiness.

 

Question 2

 

44yrs – Tolerance and understanding are two key aspects of marriage, and also knowing when to keep your mouth closed helps too.

 

44yrs- Letting God guide you in your marriage is a must!

 

13yrs- Being able to communicate good things as well as bad will make life a lot easier. Constructive criticism is often used.

 

13yrs- Being understanding and trusting you partner.

 

7yrs- Having a sense of humor always helps. Laughing can keep you from going crazy sometimes.

 

7yrs- Knowing what your getting into! Make sure you know your partner very well before you marry them. That way you’re not surprised by any weird habits!

 

5 months – Knowing when its appropriate to give each other space and affection.

 

5 months - Being able to tell your wife/husband anything.

 

4yrs- Patience, Understanding, and similar interests

 

4yrs- Marrying your best friend!

 

 

Question 3

 

Our goal as a society should be to be getting better, healthier, wealthier, happier, more satisfying, and more interesting.

 

 

Question 4

 

A worthy goal for Roane County, in my opinion, would be to aid teens. Moving from Ohio to Tennessee I’ve noticed that there is much more teen pregnancy, and teen drug use here in Harriman. I think these problems are a result of there being a lack of things to do in Roane County. If we were provided with more things such as movie theaters and malls then maybe these problems would decrease. We, as a community need to take more steps to educate teens about these problems before they increase anymore.

 

Question 5

 

I don’t believe that a doll could take the place of a mother. That is a big position to fill. It’s hard for other humans to fill those shoes, so I highly doubt a doll can.

 

I believe the gap in American society will continue to grow. No one is making any effort to help those stranded at the bottom and “haves” often ignore the problems of the “have-nots”. Without out action this will never change.

 

Question 6

 

Lawyers help protect us from the danger of tyranny of the majority. They create their own form of democracy because Americans tend to be distrustful of centralized government.

 

Question 7

 

Punitive damages has a greater impact than regulation. Regulation would be just about impossible to accomplish for companies and business’s that mass produce.

 

Question 8

 

3 Benefits of Baby Boomer Retiring

 

*Available to offer services to the Xer’s who are all starting families.

 

*Start up new business’s involving other boomers

 

*Highly educated and have the ability to mentor others.

 

Question 9

 

I think Clinton’s plan will work! It might take a while, but if persistent we will eventually see improvements in these countries.

 

·         It will make business’s support them

·         It will benefit business’s

·         Involves a variety of institutions

 

Question 10

 

*When they accomplished their goals they both gave back to their communities.

*Started out middle class, with many odds against them.

*Both were very persistent and determined people.