By Jacob Stern, Not Joe.

1. The Fall of the Family
Jacob Stern
The Family in Jeopardy
A boy comes home from school. His mom asks how his day was, hoping for the beginning of a conversation where they can discuss
things in a comfortable setting, but as always, is disappointed. He grabs some chips out of the cupboard, and sits down in front of the
TV. “Mom?” he yells. She again is hopeful, but again is frustrated, for the only thing he will talk to her for is to ask for a soda.
She reflects on family as it was as she was a child, the fundamental unit of society, the place where children learned from a tender age
moral values that would guide them throughout their lives. Then she thinks of how home is now merely a place to sleep and play video
games, she no more than a convenience for personal needs and a source for money. She considers herself, who didn’t teach her kids
to read, and regretfully of how she no longer urged them into participation in family dinners. That in some families both parents work,
so they can afford that more expensive car, that vacation to Tahiti, rather than spending time with each other, nourishing relationships,
conversing with mutual love and deep caring. The purpose of the family has been lost.
Recent surveys show that 25% of unmarried women
become mothers, and that over just the past decade the
births out of wedlock have increased by 60%. This is totally
wrong; no child should be put through the experience of
having only one parent or being born outside the sacred
ordinance of marriage.
Children don’t deserve to live a life filled with turmoil from
young parents who don’t know how to properly care for their
children, who are even still restricted by the bonds of
childhood. A family can’t properly function when the parents
can barely drive, can barely put food on the table. Many studies show that marriage and membership in a two parent
family are closely linked to good health and lower death rate, much
better than those of someone who is divorced, single or lives in a one
parent family. It has even been proven that it contributes to your health
more than age, income, or education! Quoting The Family: a
Proclamation to the World, “Husband and wife have a solemn
responsibility to care for each other and their children.” No matter how
things go, they must honor marital vows with complete fidelity; without
parents with total respect for each other, children will always have to live
in fear of their parents fighting and under the stress and sadness of a
divided family.
In our family, we have recently implemented a time
allotment one day of the week centered solely on spending
time together as a family. At first it was met by reluctance,
but gradually the view of everyone has shifted from that of
reticence and boredom to one of excitement and
anticipation. The older kids enjoy helping the younger ones,
and everyone learns something, whether from the lesson or
otherwise. Once the lesson is complete, we begin an
activity that — even though it may not be thought of as age
appropriate for the older kids — again, everyone enjoys,
whether it is animal charades, hide and seek, or basketball
In Fahrenheit 451, it was all to apparent the risk of family separation. A
on our mini hoop in the basement. It is concluded with a
family where the only relationship is a parasitic one from the wife to the
song, a family prayer, and delicious refreshments. For any
husband, caring nothing for each other, only for their personal virtual
Christian denomination, prayer can be a wonderful outlet for
family rooms, where everyone is “happy” in their own nice little
feelings, and a time of family bonding.
fantastical world. Even if a family is doing work together, they can have
If this small allotment of time each week were to be given a a great time, listening to music, communicating well, and learning
chance in every home, the world would be happier, more together. This is infinitely better than a husband going to work to play
peaceful, place where society was more humane. Many cards and smoke while his wife chats with her walls. Looking at it from
children — and parents for that matter — would have less our perspective it appears utterly stupid and funny. But it is scary how
inclination to turn to drugs, alcohol, and other harmful close to reality he actually is. Look at how much time of your life is
substances. Overall, this small part of the week has the wasted in front of the TV. Each person has a choice. The pure joy of a
power to totally change the world for the good. family or the artificial contentment of worldly pleasures.