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The Relationship Wasteland
Townhall.com ^ | September 16, 2009 | Michael Gerson

Posted on 09/16/2009 6:14:50 AM PDT by Kaslin

WASHINGTON -- There is a segment of society for whom traditional family values are increasingly irrelevant, and for whom spring-break sexual liberationism is increasingly costly: men and women in their 20s.

This is the period of life in which society's most important social commitments take shape -- commitments that produce stability, happiness and children. But the facts of life for twentysomethings are challenging. Puberty -- mainly because of improved health -- comes steadily sooner. Sexual activity kicks off earlier. But the average age at which people marry has grown later; it is now about 26 for females, 28 for males.

This opens a hormone-filled gap -- a decade and more of likely sexual activity before marriage. And for those in that gap, there is little helpful guidance from the broader culture. Brad Wilcox, director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, argues that the "courtship narrative" in the past was clear: dating, engagement, marriage, children. This narrative has been disrupted without being replaced, leaving many twentysomethings in a "relational wasteland."

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


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 09/16/2009 6:14:50 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

bttt


2 posted on 09/16/2009 6:44:47 AM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (What does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God)
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To: Kaslin

Hell, I’m in my 40’s and I just discovered what girls are for.


3 posted on 09/16/2009 6:46:35 AM PDT by Lazamataz (Put butter on your tag line.)
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To: Lazamataz

Cookery?

(ducking....)


4 posted on 09/16/2009 6:50:46 AM PDT by Uncle Miltie (NEXT: Sting ACORN on Voter Registration.)
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To: Kaslin

A good column, but I think he is off when he claims that it’s not realistic to have society expect moral behavior from its members.

I would say that people are not animals and are not incapable of controlling their passions, but when I read stories of people calling 911 because McDonalds ran out of McNuggets or a group of kids beating up someone I really have to wonder.


5 posted on 09/16/2009 6:50:58 AM PDT by Crolis ("Nemo me impune lacessit!" - "No one provokes me with impunity!")
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To: Lazamataz
Hell, I’m in my 40’s and I just discovered what girls are for.

Really? You don't look a day over 55....

6 posted on 09/16/2009 7:27:56 AM PDT by thulldud (It HAS happened here!)
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To: Kaslin
What with the ‘hook ups’ presented on daily TV ... as if they had no consequences whatsoever and “everyone is doing it” ... it is no wonder our world is headed for Hell.

Where are the morals of America?

We are as libertine as the French... largely a nation of dissolute people ... as is the world of today.

The ‘hippie’, ‘free love’ generation, are the people in power now. We see the fruits of their belief ... “as a person sows ... so he shall also reap”.

we are falling over the precipice of degradation. It has many worldly causes. There are two causes. GOOD and EVIL ...

We have God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and there are Satan and his fallen angels. It is Satan that is in control of this world. God cast them out of heaven.

We “have a choice .. choose life or choose death” (eternal.

Any serious consideration of our world conditions clearly shows ... people are not’ entering by the narrow gate ... rather they are walking through the wide gate. The end of it is death.’ (hell)

No matter how much people would not want to be told this ... it is the Word of God (Scriptures) instructing us how to live and be pleasing to HIM.

“God is not mocked.”

We continually argue and fume about the ways and means ... things we have almost not control about ... when we have control of ourselves; and our choices; and we can tell our brothers.

How are you doing? Choose life.

7 posted on 09/16/2009 8:06:10 AM PDT by geologist (The only answer to the troubles of this life is Jesus. A decision we all must make.)
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