A Changing Society vs Traditions
We live in a shifting society. The social culture these days is focused on "me" and the community mindset is disappearing...
Today, I want to address a subject that is very controversial. People are up in arms over this subject everyday because of our feel-good influences. Media, friends, family, etc...even teachers are encouraging the lifestyle of excessive individualism.
Individualism according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is "a doctrine that the interests of the individual are or ought to be ethically paramount." My question is, doctrine according to who?? If you think about the world in which we live, this frame of mind is common. It doesn't seem out of place and if you don't dig further, then this definition is perfectly acceptable. However, there is no reference as to who determined the doctrine of individualism- and especially in terms of our society, excessive individualism.
With life evolving constantly, it is no wonder that our views on social norms are changing almost daily. Things that used to be abhorred a decade ago are now common place. From movie ratings, cohabitation practices, open relationships, etc. the values of the world are slipping away. What happened to the "we" mentality where we were concerned about our future generations, our neighbors/community, and our patriotic values?
They have been replaced by the "do what makes you feel good" attitude. If you want to have an open relationship, then do it! If you want to live with someone before marriage, then do it! Who cares what others think or who gets hurt by your actions. If others don't support you, then they weren't true friends anyways.
I don't agree.
I'm not trying to say that taking care of yourself (wants/desires) is bad, but I do think that our actions have a greater affect than only ourselves. Especially in terms of relationships...which are a touchy subject in today's society. Studies have shown that the greatest setting for having a family (raising children, encouraging healthy relationships, and overall happiness) is within the realm of traditional marriage. You can call me old-school, outdated, or narrow-minded, but the research proves this to be true.
If you take a look at the evidence from studies like those on Familystructurestudies.com, the results are very clear. Children raised in a home with a father and a mother are the most successful in almost every single outcome.
Obviously every family is different and there are exceptions to the rules, but on average the highest quality relationships are those within traditional settings.
Taking care of yourself is important. Don't be afraid to chase after your dreams. Do what makes you happy! Just remember along the way that your actions have a greater impact than yourself.
Men and women were created to compliment each other. To work together in their roles and responsibilities to form a whole. When these ideas of open relationships, experimentation, and slipping values taint our view, we lose sight of our purpose. We lose the chance to form foundations of happy families. Home is our sanctuary. It should be where we turn for peace and guidance. Finding examples of gender, relationships, citizenship, and individual character from our parents, grandparents, etc.
Husbands and wives should do everything they can to strengthen their relationships instead of choosing to "let their significant other indulge themselves because otherwise they are tied down." That doesn't seem like a healthy relationship to me...how does that make the other person feel? Unloved, not good enough, second place, self-conscious...
What example does your relationship provide for your family?
Should you really date someone who exhibits red flags-- like lusting after other people?
Is it worth the pain to enter a relationship with someone who is not ready to settle like you are?
What about that one guy/girl that only calls you when no one else is available? But it's okay because you won't get attached...
No! You are worth so much more. You deserve so much better. That is individualism. The desires for a family, for stability, for someone who will look at you and think the world is in your eyes. Things like gender, sexuality, family values, dating, etc. are under attack. Don't you see? The shifting values of society are trying to make you think that experimentation and fluidity will make you happy...but do you feel happy? Or do you feel lost?
I see so many of my friends trying to explore every avenue- dating people of the same gender, having sex because "everyone does it," letting their significant others date outside of their relationship because "they deserve freedom." And you know what? None of them seem very happy.
I believe in the sanctity of the family unit. That every choice you make counts, especially when you are dating. I'm not saying dating other people is bad and you should get married to the first guy/girl you are interested in, but I do think that traditional values are "traditional" for a reason. There is a lot less risk and hurt that comes from being careful.
Find someone with the same values- integrity, determination, ambition, endurance. Someone who won't leave because the going gets tough. Find individualism in taking care of yourself. Choose that guy/girl that makes you want to be a better person, who encourages your dreams and is willing to invest in your interests. Find that guy/girl who strengthens your weaknesses and buoys you up.
The evidence shows that true happiness/stability is in the way God created men and women - to strengthen one another. To be partners in creating families and establishing family values. The family unit is sacred. It is divinely designed.
Today, I want to address a subject that is very controversial. People are up in arms over this subject everyday because of our feel-good influences. Media, friends, family, etc...even teachers are encouraging the lifestyle of excessive individualism.
Individualism according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is "a doctrine that the interests of the individual are or ought to be ethically paramount." My question is, doctrine according to who?? If you think about the world in which we live, this frame of mind is common. It doesn't seem out of place and if you don't dig further, then this definition is perfectly acceptable. However, there is no reference as to who determined the doctrine of individualism- and especially in terms of our society, excessive individualism.
With life evolving constantly, it is no wonder that our views on social norms are changing almost daily. Things that used to be abhorred a decade ago are now common place. From movie ratings, cohabitation practices, open relationships, etc. the values of the world are slipping away. What happened to the "we" mentality where we were concerned about our future generations, our neighbors/community, and our patriotic values?
They have been replaced by the "do what makes you feel good" attitude. If you want to have an open relationship, then do it! If you want to live with someone before marriage, then do it! Who cares what others think or who gets hurt by your actions. If others don't support you, then they weren't true friends anyways.
I don't agree.
I'm not trying to say that taking care of yourself (wants/desires) is bad, but I do think that our actions have a greater affect than only ourselves. Especially in terms of relationships...which are a touchy subject in today's society. Studies have shown that the greatest setting for having a family (raising children, encouraging healthy relationships, and overall happiness) is within the realm of traditional marriage. You can call me old-school, outdated, or narrow-minded, but the research proves this to be true.
If you take a look at the evidence from studies like those on Familystructurestudies.com, the results are very clear. Children raised in a home with a father and a mother are the most successful in almost every single outcome.
Obviously every family is different and there are exceptions to the rules, but on average the highest quality relationships are those within traditional settings.
Taking care of yourself is important. Don't be afraid to chase after your dreams. Do what makes you happy! Just remember along the way that your actions have a greater impact than yourself.
Men and women were created to compliment each other. To work together in their roles and responsibilities to form a whole. When these ideas of open relationships, experimentation, and slipping values taint our view, we lose sight of our purpose. We lose the chance to form foundations of happy families. Home is our sanctuary. It should be where we turn for peace and guidance. Finding examples of gender, relationships, citizenship, and individual character from our parents, grandparents, etc.
Husbands and wives should do everything they can to strengthen their relationships instead of choosing to "let their significant other indulge themselves because otherwise they are tied down." That doesn't seem like a healthy relationship to me...how does that make the other person feel? Unloved, not good enough, second place, self-conscious...
What example does your relationship provide for your family?
Should you really date someone who exhibits red flags-- like lusting after other people?
Is it worth the pain to enter a relationship with someone who is not ready to settle like you are?
What about that one guy/girl that only calls you when no one else is available? But it's okay because you won't get attached...
No! You are worth so much more. You deserve so much better. That is individualism. The desires for a family, for stability, for someone who will look at you and think the world is in your eyes. Things like gender, sexuality, family values, dating, etc. are under attack. Don't you see? The shifting values of society are trying to make you think that experimentation and fluidity will make you happy...but do you feel happy? Or do you feel lost?
I see so many of my friends trying to explore every avenue- dating people of the same gender, having sex because "everyone does it," letting their significant others date outside of their relationship because "they deserve freedom." And you know what? None of them seem very happy.
I believe in the sanctity of the family unit. That every choice you make counts, especially when you are dating. I'm not saying dating other people is bad and you should get married to the first guy/girl you are interested in, but I do think that traditional values are "traditional" for a reason. There is a lot less risk and hurt that comes from being careful.
Find someone with the same values- integrity, determination, ambition, endurance. Someone who won't leave because the going gets tough. Find individualism in taking care of yourself. Choose that guy/girl that makes you want to be a better person, who encourages your dreams and is willing to invest in your interests. Find that guy/girl who strengthens your weaknesses and buoys you up.
The evidence shows that true happiness/stability is in the way God created men and women - to strengthen one another. To be partners in creating families and establishing family values. The family unit is sacred. It is divinely designed.
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