Author: R. Alan Harrop, Ph.D
The building blocks of all successful civilizations has always been the nuclear family. This is especially the case in Western Civilization, which has given the world the highest standard of living, the longest life spans, and greatest freedom to pursue happiness. The support and bonding within the family structure gives individuals the support to peruse life’s challenges. Dependence on government handouts is not necessary.
Centralized, authoritarian governments following Marxist principles cannot succeed without diminishing the role of the family in people’s lives. Strong, intact families do not need Marxism. Let’s take a look at how the family is doing in today’s America. The basis of the family is obviously the existence of intact marriages between a man and a woman. In 1950, men married on average at 23 years of age; today the average age is 31 years; women married in 1950 at an average age of 20 now it is 29. In 1960, 72% of the population were married, today it is 51%. The percentage of young adults (18-24 years old) still living with their parents in 1960 was 29%, today it is 58%. There are many other statistics that show a similar trend, but you get the point.
The first question we need to ask is what cultural shifts are causing this diminishing of marriage and family. One of the most obvious is the erosion of the moral standard prohibiting sexual intercourse until married. The biological drive for sexual activity, especially in men, has always been the prime motivation for a relationship with a member of the opposite sex. The need for intimacy, love, and companionship with another person are also essential motivators for marriage. The sexual revolution, begun in the 1960’s, began to dramatically change this. Today, premarital sex is not only freely engaged in, but by many, Is considered a pre-requisite to ensuring compatibility if one chooses to marry. Living together prior to marriage which seems to be the usual practice today, was strongly disapproved in the past. Why should a man pay for candy when he can get it for free?
The feminist movement has also had a profound impact on marriage and family. Women are being told that the traditional role of a woman as a wife, mother, and housekeeper are demeaning and will not bring the happiness and satisfaction of a career, independence, and professional status. Those women who accept this belief, view marriage as a loss of freedom and independence that would diminish their self-worth. They cannot accept the idea that they would place themselves in a position where they are dependent to any degree on the economic support of a husband. Many young men of today reject that they would be the primary “bread winner” and the main support of their spouse and family.
The result of all this has been an increase in children born out of wedlock from 5% in 1960 to almost 50% today. (To be continued in my next article).