[Mr. Bird]

According to Robertson, about half of married couples with children in the mid-1950s paid no federal income tax, thanks to a generous $3,000 personal exemption. If this exemption had kept up with inflation, it would be $10,000 today.

Wow. This is the first time I've read a valid, concrete detail that (at least partially) explains this massive shift in the culture.

[WestPacSailor]

I strongly believe that the vast majority of our societal problems come from letting other people raise our children. A major cause for this problem is the unexplainable need to "keep up with the Jones". It's too bad that so many Americans feel the need for the big house, the big SUV (or two), and all the other crap we keep accumulating.

I like to think that people were happier when we had fewer material possesions and spent more time with our families.

I work, my wife stays home with our children. Seemed to work well for thousands of years. Does my wife work? HELL YEAH she does. I tried her job for a few weeks, it's a LOT of work. I think that, in the long run, our children will be better off because of her though. No, I don't own an SUV (just the ubercool minivan..NOT!!) and a used truck. But when I go home at night I know where my kids are and what they've been expose to all day.

Perhaps it's time we quit thinking of ourselves and really did "what's best for the children".