Fight For What's Right

We live in a world where people aren't afraid to make it known when they disagree with something. People aren't afraid to push to the limits when they believe something is wrong and want it right. Tradition and the "norms" are becoming less important and more of an "anything goes" attitude is being developed. We live in a world where the concept of family, something so wonderful and valuable, is getting destroyed and isn't fought for like it should be.

Why is it that we fight for gay marriage, but we aren't fighting for the rapid disappearance of traditional marriage? Why is it that media portrays that it is acceptable to cheat on your spouse if it's "love? Why is it that you can get divorced if you all of a sudden decide you don't want to be married anymore? Why is it that careers will at times be put before bringing children into the world? Why is it that if you're not committed enough to get marred you can just live together until it works out or doesn't?

All of these things are commonly found in the world we live in, and it breaks my heart. I think we are so blinded at times that we forget to see the facts. In an article called "State of our Unions" it explains the difference between children raised in cohabiting homes vs. children raised in an intact, married, father and mother household. Studies show that children raised in cohabiting homes are less likely to thrive, they do worse socially, educationally, and psychologically, and they are more likely to be physically, sexually, and emotionally abused. The article also said that 60% of marriages begin with individuals living together, but also that cohabiting couples with a child together are twice a likely to break up before their child turns 12 than married couples.

I was raised in a home with two parents that love each other very much. From them I have been able to see first hand that strength and blessings that come from having both a mother and father figure in my life. I have learned about the importance of commitment and not giving up when times get hard. They have shown me that family, parents and children, are what bring the most joy in life. My family is my support group. They are people that I know I can always rely on and turn to in times of need. My parents have taught me a lot, and I see a lot of what I do imitate that. Studies have shown that many follow the examples of their parents. What example do we want our children following?

I know not everyone has the most ideal family situation, and many with no fault of their own. But, I love that we can be the change that we want in our families. If we were raised in a not so ideal situation, we can choose to not follow in our parents footsteps. Just that one choice can affect generations and generations.

Carlfred Broderick said:

"A transitional character is one who, in a single generation, changes the entire course of a lineage. The changes might be for good or ill, but the most noteworthy examples are those individuals who grow up in an abusive, emotionally destructive environment and who somehow find a way to metabolize the poison and refuse to pass it on to their children. They break the mold. They refute  the observation that abused children become abusive parents, that the children of alcoholics become alcoholic adults, that “the sins of the fathers are visited upon the heads of the children to the third and fourth generation.” Their contribution to humanity is to filter the destructiveness out of their own lineage so that the generations downstream will have a supportive foundation upon which to build productive lives.”

Whether we had good upbringing or not, let us all be the change for good in the world!