Where are the adults?

Many of the major goals of the communists, outlined in 1963 in the Naked Communist, were aimed at the tearing down of human morality. As morality is derailed, society naturally becomes unstable.

Instability is necessary to create the moral and social chaos, upon which a new order can be built. The enemies of traditional culture understand that a society that is devoid of morality, is a society that is much easier to manipulate and control.

In this cultural war, it is the family unit that takes the force of the punch. Everywhere, we are seeing efforts at diluting the definition of "family" — redefining the parental role as one that could include homosexual spouses and parents. "Domestic partner" benefits are the hot topic of the day.

As always, the media's role in this revolution of ideas is central. Families are largely portrayed in a negative light. Values-centered role models have given way to sleazy celebs and pervert performers. Porn stars are now interviewed on talk shows to discuss their "work".

It isn't difficult to see the success that the cultural Marxists have had in deconstructing society.

People who used to help each other, have no concern about their neighbors. This is often true of family members as well.

Others receive national prominence for acting like animals at basketball games.

We've become a society of adolescents. I keep waiting for the adults to show up in this world, yet it never seems to happen. The apparent reality is that we have a generation of overgrown, spoiled babies, who don't care a whole lot about the children they've given birth to, and for which they are responsible.

Consider the lack of instruction and teaching that parents give their children today. There are no boundaries. There is no direction. The youngsters of today, with few exceptions, are drifting along, searching for those boundaries. They get into fights, experiment with drugs, and become sexually promiscuous in their quest to find a competent authority figure who will show them a line that cannot be crossed.

At times, that authority figure will be in uniform. And if the youngster is lucky, they won't be gunned down or clubbed on the side of the road with a nightstick.

The brakedown in societal order has long bothered me. It has become unfashionable to properly punish children for braking rules. If parents set rules, they are too often not enforced. Often, when a line is crossed, another is drawn with a more stern warning. Naturally, the warnings never matter if they are not backed up with action.

Imagine my distaste for a story about the Barnard family, headlined, "Parents go on strike, move to yard". It is the story about two imbecilic parents who, upon failing to garner their children's assistance around the house, decided to turn the entire house over to their children.

"After begging and pleading with their 17-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter to help out around the house", the story goes, "the Barnards decided they were fed up. So they went on strike — and moved out to the front yard."

"Begging and pleading"? That is precisely the problem.

Once upon a time, if a child refused to do what the parent said, that child found his/herself with are warmed bottom and a loss of privileges. Now, we have parents camping out in the yard because they don't like what their children are doing. We are living in the day of sissy parents, who don't have the will to make their children mind. These children will grow up without knowing the value of good behavior skills, and responsibility.

When dealing with children, you don't beg and plead. You clearly make your demands known, along with the consequences that the child will suffer if your expectations are not met. When they are not met, you deliver on your promise without compromise, and set the bar higher for the next failure. You don't continually threaten your child. You simply state what will occur if they disobey, and then you follow through on your statement. The key to good parenting is consistency.

My brother-in-law recently confided in me that he used to hear family members criticize me because they thought that I was too strict with my children. He said that he now laughs at those people who were critical, as they are the same ones who delight in having my children visit them, even as they avoid other people's children because theirs have behavioral problems and are uncontrollable.

The point is that good parenting isn't rocket science. No one gave me a course in parenting before I started. And to be sure, I've made my share of mistakes along the way.

But with the right mix of love, common sense, and discipline, the shaping of the will can be accomplished while instilling respect and character in the developing child.

The Barnard family might have limited success roasting marshmallows over their hibachi, while the laundry piles up. But its obvious that these two parental dolts have no clue about leadership.

The signs in their yard read, "Parents on strike! Seeking cooperation and respect."

Respect has to be earned. And you earn respect by example. So to Cat and Harlan Barnard I say, Get off your duff, clean your house, and MAKE your children help you.

In other words, act like adults. Some day, your children will thank you.