TR> RT> I see a distinct correlation between young folks' attitude and the
  > RT> kinds of entertainment they're involved in, particularly the kinds of
  > RT> music they listen to and the way they dress.
TR>... My wife and I had a discussion about this very thing not 
t
  >long ago, and she played the devil's advocate. I played the old-fashioned
  >conservative, and I have the distinct impression that I lost the 
discussion.
  >She made the following points: 1) you listened to that hip-gyrating, sex
  >fiend Elvis; 2) you wore your underwear in public (t-shirt); 3) you had 
thos
  >outlandish haircuts (flat-top, burr, ducktail, or down your back); 4) you
  >belonged to the hippy generation (make love - not war, peace signs, 
communes
  >acid, marijuana, love-ins, and flowered VWs). I opted for a compromise, 
but 
  >refused to admit total defeat. 
I know the problem... been there and done that discussion FOR REAL with
my kids :)
TR>I certainly agree with you on the entertainment. Some of the music 
glorifies
  >suicide and violence. Much of the entertainment does tend to dehumanize
  >mankind and cheapen the value of life.
I'm still not sure whether I feel that entertainment is a cause/effect
phenomena or just an indicator, but I do see a correlation.  Thats why
I'm willing to use _behaviour_ as the bottom line when dealing with my
kids.
TR> RT>                     The next sign of degenerating attitude is
  > RT> disrespect for parents, teachers, and other authority figures.
  > RT> The decline to complete lack of respect for life is a natural
  > RT> process when these attitudes are allowed to continue unchecked.
TR>I would certainly agree with you, but I would like to add something to the
  >discussion. Many of my generation would point out that the disrespect for
  >authority started with the Viet Nam War and the lack of support for our
  >soldiers from our government.
Maybe the two had common points (in time) of origin.  I'm not sure that
Viet Nam is a root cause for the attitudes of today.
  > Many authority figures, including parents, generate a respect problem
  >when they command, "Do as I say, not as I do."
That, IMO, is a _major_ root cause.  Telling someone to obey certain
guidelines is futile when the one in authority doesn't obey the same
rules.  Thats a definite "tool" in my box... when I tell my son to not
drink a beer, he can't say, "But you do".  Surprising how much leverage
it gives me.
  > The respect problem may have started
  >with the government, but the only current fix for the problem starts at 
home
  >Just food for thought and discussion.
Agreed.
TR> RT> Herein we have a definite problem... how to governor the input of 
uch
  > RT> trash to their minds without creating a rebellion that is
  > RT> counter-productive.
TR>I think that it all starts with a stand at home and a commitment for each
  >parent to be a positive role model for their children. This is not an easy
  >task.
Amen!
Regards,
Ron
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