Posted by
Nicole Benach on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 3:03:10 PM
I believe as many do that the treatment of children is a reflection of a society's beliefs and values. For an industrialized, civil society we have been plagued by a rash of stories involving children that would indicate we do not have the same sense of responsibility, honor, and care that Americans have had historically when raising children.
In Hillary Clinton's Village, I am curious how she envisioned the roles for some of the more curious characters like sextuplet and twin reality parents, Jon and Kate Gosselin, Octomom Nadya Suleman, and the Quiverfull-following Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, who are still fruitfully multiplying at number nineteen. This child will be younger than their first grandchild. Based on Clinton's premise it would seem society would adjust to meet the all the needs of these children. In order to continue the age of entitlement, many taxpayers would be required to fill the gap despite the onslaught of reality TV channels helping to defray costs for some.
Certainly all children need the basics of food and shelter, but just as important they need responsible and caring parents who want to provide for them and create a home where they can be loved in a pure and unconditional manner. An environment based on respect and accountability. Without the foundation that starts with the mother and father, sons and daughters will already be at a disadvantage. Sadly now you only have to spend a few minutes watching any daytime court show to see many single mothers proudly defending their badge of motherhood even in the midst of discussions about drug abuse, battery, and shoplifting. More often then not there are multiple children from multiple men. And yet the Liberals want to support more acceptance and tolerance in society. Same-sex this and recovering that. Where will it end?
Worse than the capitalization of families through TV shows and other media outlets is the string of horrific crimes committed by parents. In the last two years we have seen one gruesome story after the next. Beyond the ongoing Casey Anthony saga, there are a few other tragic stories that have not been able to crack the major headlines. Here are a few that have caught my eye.
Robie Lynn Jenkins and Tremayne Spillman, North Carolina - This week the mother is being charged for crimes related to the serious injury to her toddler. While dog-sitting for a Pit Bull she and her child fell asleep in the same room. Reports indicate the dog chewed off all toes from the child's left foot while the mom remained asleep. Jenkins and Spillman have previous records of arrest for PCP. Interestingly the online comments for the recent article were mostly in defense of the dog and offered little about the family.
Asuncion Avila-Villa, Ohio - Twenty-six year old woman bashed in the skull of her five-week old baby and put him in the dumpster of her apartment complex. The baby also suffered a broken arm and other injuries. Her motive was to hide the evidence (the baby) of her sexual relationship with a teenager. A neighbor was quoted in one story saying they looked like a normal family. This must be a very new definition of normal that I feel is worth challenging.
Angelo Mendoza, California - Four-year-old son survived a brutal attack by his father, which was fueled by drugs and alcohol. During this living nightmare Mendoza managed to consume one of his son's eyes by ferociously biting at his face. The other eye is severely damaged. Mendoza left the scene in his wheelchair. Shame on the county Superior Judge who wants Mendoza to be moved to a mental institution and avoid a trial.
What is all of this telling us? I propose we are seeing some conflicting messages. On one-hand Americans seem saddened and outraged by the many atrocities against our children, but continue to push harder for acceptance of deviant behavior, self-expression to the extreme, and a right to anything and everything. After a few generations of social indulgence it may be time to return to the basics and promote true family values again.
It doesn't take a village. It takes a mother and a father.