FAMILY VALUES REMAIN STRONG

Are family values lost to our culture?

Absolutely not. Our values of family are our culture. Our culture is
void and nonexistent without them. People often criticize the media
for the degeneration, or atrophy, of our morals, standards and,
consequently, family values. These critics will present examples of
the drugs, sex and violence on television. But, they fail to point out
that these same networks show anti-drug, consumer health, safety, etc.
ads. Also, where do most families gather? At the television. It is a
time for the enjoyment of the whole family.

So, what exactly are family values? In essence, they are the respect
you give to yourself and your family. It's the realization of a bond
between you and your kin. Our culture is the culture of freedom of
democracy of the ability to exercise free will. When looked upon by
this definition, our family values are constantly being shaped and
reinforced by our culture. You ask yourselves what about the divorce
rates, abortion rates and underage alcohol consumption rates? This is
not the destruction of our family values, but the realization of them
and the ability to exercise free will. Our family values and democracy
reinforce each other they work hand in hand as they can both harm and
benefit our country and relationships. What we must understand as
parents, children, brothers and sisters is that we shall not fall back
into the tyranny we shall not be the antagonists to ourselves and our
future.

Once we realize that we are all equal, yet individual, we will respect
and enjoy the experience of life. We will see that the drugs, sex,
violence are just an aspect of life. They are not only our culture,
but our freedom. This doesn't go to say that drugs, sex, and violence
should be advocated to your kids and family certainly not. But let
them choose, trust them and respect their decision in their life. Our
family values are extremely strong. Just the mere fact that we ask
ourselves the question, "Are family values lost to our culture?"shows
how much we care.

Our country and culture embody the spirit of democracy. We truly can
achieve whatever we desire. We have been educating our youth and
ourselves about radical behavior and risks through programs like
D.A.R.E., set up support groups for drug-detoxification, alcohol
abuse, etc. We even put content ratings at the outset of television
programs. Then it is the viewer's choice yet we do not recognize this
simple freedom. On state-controlled television in countries like Iraq
and China, they do not have the mere right to see the reality of life.

Our culture is what we make of it. People can perceive it to be
debased and it will be like that for them, but for me our culture is
perfect. Perfection is not everyone doing the same thing and doing
everything "correctly." It is the cumulation of everything we
wouldn't be truly total or complete without the less-than desirable
aspects of our culture. We have the power to change, so in families
that do feel that their values are lost to our culture, they can
change their reality. Our family values are constantly evolving what
happened yesterday is no guarantee of what will happen today. It is a
continuous creation.

We are all a family, as humans, as beings on Earth, and in this
universe we create our future, there's nothing holding us back but
ourselves. All we have to do is look around and see that everything is
fine. We're all great. We need no alibi for our actions for we have
created them. Our family values are our way of life. Hence, we are our
family values, we are our culture, and we are life. Our family values
are here to stay and are as strong as we are. They are now, and we
must seize the day.

Siva Malladi
2521 Indian Hills Road
Auburn