The most Basic Form of Unity

While talking with my boyfriend’s grandparents one afternoon, we came upon the topic of changes in family unity over the decades. When my boyfriend’s grandparents and their children were growing up, resources were limited; hence, they had to share what they had. For example, they and their children would gather around the television and watch their favorite programs together. However, nowadays every family member goes to his or her own corner of the house. To watch their own shows, many families do not even gather for meal, the most basic family event. In essence, each person has his own solitary shell. I believe the disconnection of the family unit is the cause of many social ills. Families are not talking or forming strong bonds within the unit; consequently, children grow and develop without parental supervision. As a result, problems such as teen pregnancy, drug abuse, and other societal predicaments occur.
For example, thirty-four percent of young women become pregnant at least once before they reach the age of 20 -- about 820,000 a year (Family First Aid). Many of these are unintended and unwanted pregnancies. According to Family First Aid Help for Troubled Teens, teenagers who have strong emotional attachments to their parents are less likely to become sexually active at an early age and less likely to experience a teen pregnancy. Strong family units allow children to feel confident in speaking with their parents. Similarly, children from strong families are less likely to use drugs.
Fundamentally, if something is disconnected, it must be separated or detached. Two things are preventing the American family from forming proper connections: technology and prosperity. On the surface, these two things appear to be signs of affluence. However, technology and prosperity used in over abundance are harmful: more is not always better. America is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and the land of opportunity. With opportunity comes the creation of technology and abuse of it. “Apocalypse will come in the form of each and every human being seated in front of his or her personal video display terminal, frantically sending and receiving messages that have no meaning because there is no more social or intellectual context” (Vicki Sapp). In essence, each person has his or her own corner with and piece of communication and entertainment technology. The average American family is wealthy enough to afford or pursue that newest piece of technology. This technology then isolates and alienates the family members. Striving to be overly prosperous and gain more technology is proving devastating to the American family.
The quintessence of a strong family unit is communication. If a family cannot communicate, the parents will not know what their child is doing or may not know their child at all. The overuse of prosperity and technology is preventing the family from connecting and communicating. In short, communication is a basic practice of humanity; therefore, if parents do not talk to their children, someone else will. Parents need to spend more time with their children. One in four Americans has “maxed out” his or her credit cards. Additionally, the average American household has a credit card debt of $8,400. Due to a lack of moderation, the average American is “up to their eye balls” in debt. This is caused by individuals not living within the boundaries of their budget. The true key to happiness is living in temperance: not being slaves to the debts of things that one does not need. In essence, less is more. Parents need to spend less time trying to give children things they do not really need, and more time teaching and guiding their children. All a children needs is a few hours a day with their parents. Is that too much to ask?