What’s happened to the old fashioned values such as: modesty, fidelity, and honesty? In our modern times they don’t seem to exist or even be considered especially as portrayed in films or TV shows. The young couple meets, falls in lust (not love), and heads to the bedroom. What’s happened to dating, courting, and getting to know each other before letting the hormones move us into the stage of a relationship which used to come only after marriage? Nowadays I’ve overheard a young woman say…well, we’re just going to move in together and see what develops. Where is the process of making the commitment to one another of marriage first, then moving in together to establish your own family with perhaps some children added in time? Was that just for old fashioned times and people?
Clothing styles are another area that could use some improvement for many individuals, especially women but also some young men. Many gals let it all hang out, and the guys have a hard time keeping their shorts and jeans up with no belts. Then there is the bra-less look. I remember when that first came about during the 1960s. Many anti-war protestors including young men had burned their draft cards while the young women burned their bras in support of personal freedom. I was in my 20s during that time period and found myself wanting to go along with the current styles that included mini-skirts, but I never felt comfortable dressed that way or that it was really me. Being a naturally shy modest person, and maybe a little old fashioned was a better fit for me.
In today’s society, honesty is lacking both on a family and corporate level. It’s not unusual to know someone in your own family that has cheated on a spouse in the name of freedom and self expression. I remember growing up thinking that everyone was honest but I quickly found out differently as I interacted in our society. We should be able to trust others-our spouse, our banker, our teachers with our kids. Then there are those who use bullying and child/spouse abuse to get their way.
So how do we teach our old fashioned values to our families and encourage them to practice the tried and true ethics? Only by being an example of the good principles, we learned as a child, will change happen.