Eroding Institutions

Since the beginning of creation parents have exerted the greatest influence and force on their children. They satisfy basic needs, define social norms of behavior, teach values and support other institutions. It's fair to say that the 'family institution' will always remain the 'tap root' for 'potentially' the  most significant nourishment and development of the individual. The operative word is 'potentially.'

Once in America, most families sought guidance, purpose and solace from a greater source of power, a God, if you please. Therefore, man felt a need to create religions, which would assist families in their faith-belief quest. Welcome the 'church institution,' which would compliment family values in the socialization of the human. Religion is a social institutions that explains the inexplicable to the believer.

In 1918, the State of Mississippi became the last state to enact a compulsory education attendance law. The educational institution (schools) reinforce many of the moral and social behavior values embraced by the family and church while preparing the student for ever changing technology and  work place skill demands.

 For the past 100-years, American children would or could be influenced dramatically by the three  major institutions: 1) the family, 2) the church (religion) and 3) formal education. Most would agree that all three institutions in concert will strengthen both the individual and a nation. Well, it is NOT necessarily so these days. The American divorce rate over the years has escalated and even the financial demands, which beg for dual incomes have contributed to a fracturing of the 'family  institution.'

I would not dare question today's parents' love for their children but I would doubt their hands-on nurturing along with consistent and effective disciplinary practices. Nobody can question the lessening  impact of the church's influence on the individual. It would follow that when the family institution is weakened the church takes a back seat.  Embrace the fact that only 20% of American Christians attend a weekly service as compared to nearly 60% attendance during the decade 1950-to-1960. So much for the religious institution having any impact on the moral and social behavioral development of youth.

In recent years, as the institutions of family and church eroded more has been required and even more is being requested of the educational institution. Americans have an ingrained mentality of 'womb-to-room,' therefore why not expect teachers to pick up the broken pieces left by family and church.
(Touch)
Save The Children