[MD] A fine mess

[Platt Holden]

Mel, 

As you say, hard to tell whether kids today lie, cheat and steal any more 
than kids 10, 20 or 30 years ago. I think it's safe to say, however, that's 
there has been a general deterioration in moral behavior among all segments 
of society over the years since WW II. Lots of reasons why -- 
postmodernism, multiculturialism, consumerism, socialism -- pick your 
"ism." Perhaps the change you cite could be called an increase in legalism. 
Whatever may be the larger causes, I think many would agree that the 
Victorian concept of personal responsibility has been eroded to the extent 
that one's misfortunes are regularly blamed on the failings of someone 
else. Victimhood has proven to be a potent equalizer in both social status 
and material well-being. 

In any case, thanks for your response. It's these moral issues that make 
the MOQ so relevant to our lives. 

Best,
Platt 

> Platt,
> 
> I would be surprised if there is a material
> or significant change over time in the rates
> or 'misbehavior' since my teen years.
> 
> Of course to know for sure an identical or
> fundamentally similar study from decades
> ago would have to be replicated today.
> 
> The conclusion of the lying cheating and stealing
> probably should have been that moral behavior is
> a learned skill, just like any 'responsibility skill'
> and one symptom of this misunderstanding is
> the current 'over leagalization' of American society.
> 
> It used to be that kids did stupid things, not
> necessarily malicious, and when the police
> showed up, it became a pointed and rather serious
> lecture involving parents, police, school officials
> and possible 'victim.'  The adults were wise enough
> to seize the opportunity to teach, really teach.
> 
> Now, though, it's easier to arrest the kid for the same
> action and start them on a 'wrong road.'  The kid, of
> course, gets blamed for being a bad child.
> 
> In both instances, decades apart, the kid did the
> same thing, but the misapprehension of  what
> responsibility is and how it functions and is learned
> has been replaced by accountability regardless.
> 
> two cents worth...
> 
> 
> thanks--mel
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Platt Holden" <plattholden at gmail.com>
> To: <moq_discuss at moqtalk.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 6:38 AM
> Subject: [MD] A fine mess
> 
> 
> > Hi All,
> >
> > Just a follow up to Khoo's observation: "SOM may come to be the
> 'universal
> > human condition' but the world is a fine mess as a result."
> >
> > >From Breitbart.com:
> >
> > "American teenagers lie, steal and cheat more at "alarming rates," a
> study
> > of nearly 30,000 high school students concluded Monday.
> >
> > "The attitudes and conduct of some 29,760 high school students across
> the
> > United States "doesn't bode well for the future when these youngsters
> > become the next generation's politicians and parents, cops and
> corporate
> > executives, and journalists and generals," the non-profit Josephson
> > Institute said.
> >
> > "In its 2008 Report Card on the Ethics of American Youth, the Los
> Angeles-
> > based organization said the teenagers' responses to questions about
> lying,
> > stealing and cheating "reveals entrenched habits of dishonesty for the
> > workforce of the future."
> >
> > The inevitable fallout of morally bereft SOM? I think so.
> >
> > Complete article at:
> >
> >
> http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=081201214432.rjut4n2u&show_article
> =1
> >
> > Platt