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What’s Ripping American Families Apart?
NY Times ^ | July 29, 2021 | David Brooks

Posted on 08/01/2021 7:01:49 AM PDT by daniel1212

At least 27 percent of Americans are estranged from a member of their own family, and research suggests about 40 percent of Americans have experienced estrangement at some point. The most common form of estrangement is between adult children and one or both parents — a cut usually initiated by the child...children in these cases often cite harsh parenting, parental favoritism, divorce and poor and increasingly hostile communication often culminating in a volcanic event...

The parents in these cases are often completely bewildered by the accusations. They often remember a totally different childhood home and accuse their children of rewriting what happened. As one cutoff couple told the psychologist Joshua Coleman: “Emotional abuse? We gave our child everything. We read every parenting book under the sun, took her on wonderful vacations, went to all of her sporting events.”...

there seems to be a generational shift in what constitutes abuse. Practices that seemed like normal parenting to one generation are conceptualized as abusive, overbearing and traumatizing to another..."you can be a conscientious parent and your kid may still want nothing to do with you when they’re older.”...

Coleman...argues...the function of family has changed. Once it was seen as a bond of mutual duty and obligation, and now it is often seen as a launchpad for personal fulfillment...Some kids seem to think they need to cut off their parents just to have their own life. “My mom is really needy and I just don’t need that in my life,” one Ivy League grad told Coleman. In other cases, children may be blaming their parents for the fact that they are not succeeding as they had hoped...

Major depression rates among youths aged 12 to 17 rose by almost 63 percent between 2013 and 2016. American suicide rates increased by 33 percent between...

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Education; Health/Medicine; History; Outdoors; Science; Society; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: americaindecline; divorce; family; feminazism; idolatry; nuclearfamily; religion; smashthepatriarchy
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Excerpts (300 words allowed) from larger article.

Ultimately the test that nations mostly fail is not adversity or affliction but affluence, with its concomitant feeling of no need for God, and decreasing morality, respect for parents and just authority, commitment, loyalty, discipline and character overall, and propensity to selfish discontent and delusion.

In particular that of being deduced by the victim-entitlement mentality, in which spoiled children protest "injustice," presuming a right to what they did not merit, and being ungrateful for what they were given.

Thus parents - most of whom spoil children while failing in needed discipline (which sometimes can include judicious spanking, but which even many parents here think is child abuse) - become the scapegoats for a generation lacking in gratitude, purpose and morality.

Yes, this is a progression flowing from idolatry, replacing the omniscient omnipotent Creator (who alone cannot fail) as the ultimate object of spiritual affection, source of security and object of allegiance, with that which is created, and which will ultimately fail.

Along with this and its lack of gratitude toward God and to parents, comes that of dishonoring them, and of dispensing with innocent life rather than accepting the consequence of immorality and the commitment to children (convenience abortions).

As well as perversion of sexual union itself, joining men with men and women with women.

Along with theft via increasingly appropriating that which others worked for in order to selfishly obtain power and or possessions in their covetousness.

All of which perversions of what God had ordained the Left represents, as being proxy servants for the devil. Who selfishly seeks his own dominion, creating a society with these perversions and requires all to worship him, who created nothing and is the destroyer of the good. Yet we know who holds his leash (in order to enable man to be tested as to what he wants) and of his final defeat.

Pertinent Scriptures texts:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Romans 1:18-21)

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (Romans 1:22-27)

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Romans 1:28-32)

Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good. (Ezekiel 16:49-50)

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Mark 10:25)

And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. (Deuteronomy 8:2)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. (John 10:1)

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12-15)

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:6-8)

1 posted on 08/01/2021 7:01:49 AM PDT by daniel1212
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To: daniel1212

It began in earnest with LBJ replacing the father with government welfare.


2 posted on 08/01/2021 7:03:46 AM PDT by newfreep (“Leftism, under all of its brand names, is a severe, violent & evil mental disorder.”)
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To: daniel1212

Easy answer...The Left’s culture


3 posted on 08/01/2021 7:04:58 AM PDT by goodnesswins (The issue is never the issue. The issue is always the revolution." -- Saul Alinksy)
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To: ConservativeMind; ealgeone; Mark17; BDParrish; fishtank; boatbums; Luircin; mitch5501; MamaB; ...

ping


4 posted on 08/01/2021 7:05:26 AM PDT by daniel1212 ( Turn to the Lord Jesus as a damned+destitute sinner, trust Him to save + be baptized + follow Him!)
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To: daniel1212

American Marxism.


5 posted on 08/01/2021 7:07:02 AM PDT by cockroach_magoo
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To: goodnesswins
"Easy answer...The Left’s culture"

Meaning it is not

White supremacy; white privilege, racism,
    homophobia, transphobia, gynophobia, Islamophobia, xenophobia - and or Climate Change. ;
    6 posted on 08/01/2021 7:10:14 AM PDT by daniel1212 ( Turn to the Lord Jesus as a damned+destitute sinner, trust Him to save + be baptized + follow Him!)
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    To: goodnesswins

    The Ministry of Propaganda, of which David Brooks is a part.


    7 posted on 08/01/2021 7:10:14 AM PDT by Lurkinanloomin (Natural Born Citizens Are Born Here of Citizen Parents)(Know Islam, No Peace - No Islam, Know Peace)
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    To: daniel1212

    Don’t overlook the effect of drug use. The expotential rise of habitual drug use over the past sixty years correlates with the decline of the American family ( divorce, estrangement, early deaths etc).


    8 posted on 08/01/2021 7:12:41 AM PDT by allendale
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    To: daniel1212
    I have a theory.

    50 years ago the majority of Americans identified with a religion and it was an important identification. There was, sadly, a lot of subtle and overt discrimination based on this identification which wasn't healthy, but there was a root for each of us. In times of crisis though, the basic love for Christ did come through and we helped each other.

    As the Baby Boomers and Gen X came of age, they rejected the church and said they would 'let their kids decide what they wanted to be,' Well, the kids decided to reject church.

    But, people LIKE being in categories and over time we have moved our identification from church membership to political party membership - although conservatives seem to keep a closer association to church than liberals.

    So for many people, the Democratic party is their new religion, identity, focus and to hell with anyone not in their 'church.'

    I don't think this goes anywhere good

    9 posted on 08/01/2021 7:15:19 AM PDT by SoftballMominVA (No konger in VA. Living the OBX life now!)
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    To: daniel1212
    What’s Ripping American Families Apart?

    N.Y. Times and their ilk.

    10 posted on 08/01/2021 7:15:46 AM PDT by RckyRaCoCo (Please Pray For My Brother Ken.)
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    To: goodnesswins

    Easy answer...The Left’s culture


    Yep. You are absolutely right. Thread killed. Good job! :)


    11 posted on 08/01/2021 7:19:19 AM PDT by cuban leaf (We killed our economy and damaged our culture. In 2021 we will pine for the salad days of 2020.)
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    To: daniel1212

    What about we are dramatically overthinking this situation, because being estranged from someone in your family is nothing new and probably hasn’t changed over the years...

    Nearly every family that has two parents, more than one sibling combined with grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, probably has some that can’t stand each other and are estranged....

    Most families I know have a crazy uncle who no one wants to be around....

    Nasty divorces that lead to children dislike one parent or the other, parents that can’t stand each other after the divorce....

    Any number of reasons can lead members of a family to become estranged....


    12 posted on 08/01/2021 7:22:38 AM PDT by srmanuel (`)
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    To: goodnesswins
    Agree absolutely. They are solidly in our schools and effectively teaching perversion deserves special treatment...like fake women in women's bathrooms, men competing in women's sports, like saying I have to do what they say because they are warped.

    They're also teaching that man is responsible for the weather....which is ridiculous.

    We protect species at the cost of millions of jobs. We let forests burn rather than use them for lumber.

    We're stuck on stupid.

    And let's not forget, according to the left, it's a good thing to kill babies in the womb.

    But say the N word...and you lose your job.

    Etc etc

    13 posted on 08/01/2021 7:23:14 AM PDT by Sacajaweau
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    To: daniel1212
    In particular that of being deduced by the victim-entitlement mentality, in which spoiled children protest "injustice," presuming a right to what they did not merit, and being ungrateful for what they were given.

    Thus fueling a cycle of ever-increasing, unsatisfiable demands. Followed by falling into an event horizon of violence, savagery and atrocity.

    14 posted on 08/01/2021 7:28:09 AM PDT by Noumenon (The Second Amendment exists primarily to deal with those who just won't take no for an answer. KTF)
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    To: daniel1212

    Root cause...

    Psalm 2


    15 posted on 08/01/2021 7:33:10 AM PDT by stars & stripes forever (Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 33:12))
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    To: daniel1212

    How many paragraphs before the NYT concluded the reason is Trump?


    16 posted on 08/01/2021 7:34:29 AM PDT by bigbob
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    To: allendale

    Including doctor prescribed drugs, particularly pain drugs.


    17 posted on 08/01/2021 7:38:11 AM PDT by vpintheak (Live free, or die!)
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    To: srmanuel

    Yeah, everything’s just fine.


    18 posted on 08/01/2021 7:38:48 AM PDT by ecomcon
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    To: bigbob

    Climate change is the cause for almost everything.

    The great unwashed unvaxxed cause the rest of the problems.

    Oh, and I forgot racism, sexism and homophobia!

    ;-)


    19 posted on 08/01/2021 7:39:40 AM PDT by cgbg (A kleptocracy--if they can keep it. Think of it as the Cantillon Effect in action.)
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    To: daniel1212

    Drugs. I’m surprised at how many people in my retirement community are estranged from their children or grand children due to drug abuse. The financial drain for rehab and maintenance is never ending. Finally they choose tough love and cut them lose. The worse case I ever heard was a grand father who co signed his grand son’s 100k + college loans and got stiffed.

    There are many stories about kids who rob or kill their relatives for money as well. These kids must be a big disappointment to their folks.


    20 posted on 08/01/2021 7:39:45 AM PDT by DeplorablePaul (s)
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