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Is it because they have been replaced with such concepts as power in a materialistic society?
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Martha,
I think that is a huge part of the problem. I guess I was raised differently when a person's word actually meant something. That you don't necessarily have to be totally book smart to make it in this world but working hard and being a respectable person is the way to achieve real success in life. I've raised my kids the same way, but I'm not sure I'm doing them any favors in today's society. I'm clinging to the hope that I am.
I'll tell you a little story...When my husband died, I was in a legal battle with his business partner for almost three years because of an unsigned partnership agreement. We all knew what the deal was. I was to sell my shares of the business in exchange for the insurance money. The partner took advantage of a loop hole and I learned a valuable lesson. A verbal agreement is only as good as the paper it is written on. He "legally" stole over six figures from my husband's estate. This is a man that was in business with my husband for twelve years. It's not the money that bothers me as much as it is the principle and his lack of ethics.
Is it any wonder I don't trust anymore?
My only consolation is the business started crumbling four months after my husband's death and went 22 thousand in the hole the first year. Even with all the money he stole, he can't keep it running. No one will work for him because he treats them like crap. He doesn't have the book smarts to run the business and relys on a CPA who (like him) has his own best interest at heart. So I guess what comes around, goes around?
I quit my job a month ago because the corporation was dicking me around for three months about a review /raise. Again, it's not the money, it is the principle. How can society function like this? Somewhere, someone is not being taught ethics, compassion, or empathy.
derek,
In our schools preK was an introduction to social interaction but due to budget constraints, they did away with it. I agree with you, core values should be taught at home.
But today we have kids killing kids over sneakers. Where are they learning their values? Not at home. Some parents just plunk their kids down in front of a television set as a babysitter. When they are older they rush them from one activity to another. Family dinners are a thing of the past. Heck, I think I'm one of the few that actually reads to their kids anymore. Our favorite night time ritual was reading a book, turning off the lights, discussing what we had read and then they got to talk about their day. I really learned a lot about my kids (and their friends) that way.
I don't think you have to be religious to instil values. I'm living proof of that. My husband's partner was a "good christian" man. :eek: