How ya been?

Me? I've been running around with my head chopped off. As usual. Isn't that a normal mommy type thing to be doing? :0)
To catch you all up to speed.....I'll go through it real quick......

I only have three weeks left of class and then I will be officially done with my associates program. I will have an actual college degree. I'm pretty sure there may need to be some celebrating going on at some point around the end of July to commemmorate the occasion. The bachelor's program starts up only three weeks later, so there isn't much "free" time to spare.

I chopped most of my hair off, and because I'm hoping that blondes really do have more fun, I went back to my old blonde hair. It's fun to watch people not recognize me for a minute until they realize that it really is me, it's just not "my" hair. :0) Good stuff.

Jaysen will be leaving me for the second time in two months to run off to some fabulous spot for training in his field. This time he's gone for almost the entire week. :0( We are going to miss him.

Took a friend shoe shopping and ended up convincing her to buy four pairs of shoes. The hubby was not too thrilled about the dollar amount spent, but he does think her sassy cute new plaid ballet flats are wicked awesome. :0)

Four weeks of swimming lessons have finally been taken care of. Now we are on to basketball camp for my son and still getting through dance and tumbling for my daughter.

Work is getting tedious and ridiculous. The hubby knows....he's my boss. :0) Well one of them anyway. My workload has practically doubled, and I am continually harangued by those who could get the information themselves, but are too lazy to do so. I think I need a raise. :0 ) I'll go tell my boss.

Sigh.

Life just keeps on trucking along. So far I seem to be able to keep up with all of it. We'll see how long that lasts.

Let the chaos begin!

May the HORSE be with you

Morningside Mustangs 2009

I put this on a white tshirt for my son for his last day of school today. His elementary school's mascot is the mustangs and he is obsessed with Lego Star Wars, so I found this quite fitting for him. I sent him off armed with a fabric marker so that all of his friends could sign his shirt.

What does the last day of school mean? It means summer vacation officially has begun. It means my baby is in the 4th grade now. It means......keeping a nine year old entertained for the next three months. I've tried to keep it pretty low key, but after filling in the calendar it seems like I wasn't quite able to pull that off. Go figure. Between swimming lessons for both kids, dance and tumbling for the daughter, basketball camp for the son, golf clinics for the son, and I'm still in school myself.....not to mention that the hubby is going to be gone for part of the summer taking his own set of courses at various locations. I feel tired already......

Kudos to me!

I'm totally going to brag in this post...just a forewarning. :0)

I am in week 8 out of 9 in this set of classes. These two are the hardest ones in my program, and therefore have been quite challenging. Thankfully, the subject matter has to do with my major and so it interests me. Anyway, as most of you know I am a titch OCD. :0) I like things to be just so. I like schedules and sticking to them. I like knwoing what's going on WELL in advance and don't handle last minute changes well. I also am a bit freakish over my homework assignments. I am a perfectionist in this area. The wording, phrasing, EVERYTHING must be just so. The thesaurus has become my best friend.
Well, I just got back one of my papers from last week and my professor left me a happy little note at the bottom of the grading rubric.

Ashlee, I see in your work a student who should consider graduate school.

OK, so it wasn't like she was chanting my name or anything....but the little pat on the back was so rewarding. The other notes and tidbits she left throughout the paper as well as her praise of my thoughts on the subject matter within the paper didn't hurt either. She said that I offered especially GOOD ADVICE to my mock patients because I offered them a positive outlook and extended hope without passing negative judgments. {Ashlee is beaming}
It hasn't crossed my mind that I just WOULDN'T go to graduate school, but the added bonus of praise from a teacher who has been so nitpicky about my assignments made me so proud of myself. I know, I know....not supposed to be prideful. But poo on that! I'm proud of myself. Juggling school, kids, work, family, and life in general has been quite a challenge for me. There are honestly some days I would really like to just stay in bed because of what was on my to-do list for that day.
So, a pat on the back for me today. I will need it as I am approaching yet another finals week.

Hello?

Just wanted to let you all know that I am still alive. I wouldn't say that I was alive AND kicking....but I am alive. I haven't had much time for the blog world as of late. School is getting harder with each new set of classes, which means I have been spending more and more time sitting at this computer doing boring stuff like researching ROCKS. BUT!

Finals week is officially over for this set of classes! I had a little chocolate party tonight. :0) I'm not kidding. Chocolate cake, with chocolate ice cream that had bits of chocolate brownie in it. The hubby gave me bit of an eyebrow raise as he saw me fill my LARGE bowl. I told him I was celebrating. Because seriously....

I NEVER have to take another STUPID science class EVER AGAIN!

{hallelujah chorus}

Wouldn't you be celebrating with chocolate too?

Anyway...I can't promise that I will be able to be more attentive to you...my adoring fans. But, know that I am wishing I could spend more time with you. My next classes start tomorrow. Thankfully they are about something I actually care about so maybe I won't mind reading six chapters this week. :0)

And if you knew what the title of one of my classes was.....you might want to learn a little something something yourself. {tee hee}

Get your mind out of the gutter! This here is SCHOOL learnin'! About the way people think and feel! So........shush!

It's official!

Yes, it's true...

Today I officially submitted my application for the bachelor's program. Sure, I haven't even

received my associate's degree, but apparently, they don't care. OK, so if I completely bomb my last few classes here they'll deny my application, BUT! it's done. It's in. There's no backing out now.

August 18 I will officially be starting my journey towards my bachelor's degree. CRAZY! Who'd have thunk it? Not only will I have graduated from college with an associate degree in arts, but I will be moving forward toward my degree in brain shrinking. :0)

Honestly, though I thought I'd be nervous or scared, I am elated. Though I know we're not supposed to be "prideful", I am so proud of myself for pressing forward. After I went back to school last February there were all sorts of things that happened that would have normally sent me running. I would have had a perfectly acceptable excuse for withdrawing. But I didn't. And I'm still alive...ok, so nothing was life or death. :0) It has helped me to learn a lot about myself though and the kind of person I have the ability to be.

Wish me luck as I continue my journey!

Potentially Dangerous...

Do you remember when Britney Spears went crazy and shaved her head....and then attacked a car with an umbrella. Sometimes....

I get it.

You know...a string of frustrations and you just need to scream. Or talk with a British accent for no apparent reason.....

Thankfully....I tend to resort to coloring my hair rather than shaving it all off. And instead of smashing in a car window with an umbrella I eat chocolate. {I don't have to worry about all those papparazzi taking pictures of me stuffing my face like poor Britney}

Why am I talking about Britney Spears you ask? Good question.

I have been going to school full time, non-stop since February. One set of classes ends on a Sunday and the next set begins the very next day. My brain is on overload. Just as I finish up my final projects for one set of classes, I have to hurry and get familiar with the information for the next set. After this last change up I thought I was going to go crazy. Understandably, as I get further along in school, my classes keep getting harder. Want to know what else changes with each new rotation of classes?

The level of cleanliness in my home....it's scary.
The amount of time I sit in front of this computer.....can you say blood shot eyes?
My ability to stay organized in other areas.....freakishly erratic.
My extra time for me.....almost non-existent.
The quality of the meals I make for my family....it's almost a form of neglect.
The time I have for hanging out with my family....NOT ENOUGH.

My OCD tendencies are screaming for attention. I can't block out the clutter in my home any longer. I can't cram one more piece of random information into my head. My kids and my hubby need some quality time with dear old me. My son wanted to know how much longer I was going to have to do this. He went bug-eyed when I told him I had at least 2 1/2 years before I could actually get a position in the field of psychology. What I didn't tell him was that I would have a couple more years after that in order to get my master's degree.

So, hallelujah! Today is day one of fourteen where I have NO schoolwork. I've got two weeks of holiday time where I don't even have to crack open a book. AND....when holiday break is over, I only have one week of school left in this block before I am taking a personal break for another week. That will give me time before I have to jump into more deep thinking. :0)

And....I won't have to worry about ending up like Miss Britney Spears. I don't think I would look good with a shaved head...it's kind of bumpy. :0)

Thanks again ladies!

I am keeping to my word and updating all my girls night girls about my grade on the assignment you all helped me to complete.....





Drum roll please.....
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That's right...you all receive an A+++++++++

Thanks again for your help!

An Attitude of Gratitude Day Two

I decided to go back to school in February. It had been eating me up for MONTHS as to what to do. I wanted to go back, but I knew how much it would cost. The other difficult part was that I have a toddler, so going to an actual campus wasn't really ideal. What would I do with her? Wasn't one of the perks of staying home that I avoided day care costs? I was frustrated.

I don't know why I paid any attention to the flashing ads on the computer screen that day, but I'm glad I did. Online courses! DUH!

So, I responded to the ad stating I just wanted the basic information. I was skeptical. Well, instead of an email, I ended up with a phone call.

Which I did NOT answer. I hadn't even talked to the hubby about it yet. I was scared. I was nervous. But I HAD to know if it was really possible. So, after their fourth attempt to get ahold of me, I answered the phone.

That poor man didn't know what he was in for. :0) I threw questions at him left and right. What was nice, was that he had all of the answers to my questions and I realized it really was a possibility. The costs of attending school online would not be much more than attending the one here after buying books and paying for daycare. I just had to talk to the hubby about it.

I think part of me wanted him to say no. I was still scared. I was excited though. I felt as though I would have something to truly work towards....you know...besides laundry and dishes. And, because I have the most amazingly supportive husband he didn't even hesitate to say yes. In fact, he said, "Once you graduate you can be my sugar mamma!" {yes, sarcasm runs deep in both of us...it's why we click so well}

So, I took the plunge. I started two weeks later. Though it has been hard getting back into learning mode, it has been wonderful. I feel more fulfilled than I have in a while. I am truly grateful that I live in an age where I have the ability to not only be a mom at home, but also to be able to pursue my dreams with ease. Technology is an amazing gift. I am so blessed to have this opportunity to continue my education and for a wonderful family who has supported me in my decision. It has not been easy on them because it does take a lot of my time away from them. I may be physically with them at home, but often I am studying or on the computer doing homework. They have been so patient with me and I cannot thank them enough for allowing me to be a bit selfish. :0)

BTW....I am also grateful that I have been able to get A's in every class so far. I don't know how much longer I will be able to keep the streak going, but WAHOO! :0)

US Citizenship and Immigration Services

OK people....my latest assignment has to do with modern challenges in immigration. The questions I am being asked are rather thought provoking so I thought I would pose them to you as well. :0)

Should US Government policy favor certain kinds of immigrants?

Should {citizenship}preference be given to the neediest applicants? The most talented? The most oppressed? The richest?

Should applicants from certain countries be given priority?

What do you think? Would you want to immigrate to the United States? If so, how come? You can go here to learn about the process that immigrants have to go through to become a US Citizen. It's quite the process.

Let me know what you think! :0)

Vacations and Psychology....that's why!

I'm just realizing it's been almost a week since I last posted. But, honestly guys...I got nothin'. My brain is on overload.

I'm getting ready for our big family vacation up to Boise this weekend. Four days of non-stop f-u-n, FUN! A train ride featuring a Wild West Shoot Out, a BBQ at my sister's house, Roaring Springs Water Park, Boondocks Family Fun Center, Jaysen's Day 'O Golf, Lots of shopping, and swimming in the pool at the hotel will be part of our big adventure. I think Jaysen has Sunday night's dinner lined up for us as well at his aunt and uncle's house. SWEET!

The OCD in me is making my lists, and checking them twice....to make sure I know exactly what should be packed and purchased and loaded in the car. I will still forget something...it never fails. But at least I will have tried. :0) The car needs an oil change and a good gutting so that we can refill it with more stuff for this trip. I haven't emptied it since the family reunion. It's scary in there. :0)

Beyond these preparations, I am attempting to get this week's school work done in record time along with part of next week's assignments done so that when we get back LATE Tuesday night I will not have to worry about posting Tuesday's assignment. These "fun" school preparations include writing the introduction and conclusion to my research paper on how Antidiscrimination Laws are a form of discrimination themselves. {Don't get me started...I could go on and on...} as well as learning all about the sexual development of humans and sexual psychology. Good times....If you have any questions as to that....please don't ask me. I've read it, I'm done with it...heaven knows I don't want to know one more thing about the male anatomy and how the "bits and pieces" work. SERIOUSLY. Guys are just gross! :0)

I was going to post about my new hair color. Yes, I did it again....from blonde to brown and now to my new shade {which is thankfully going to wash out in 26 more days}. It's a little scary, though everyone is being really nice and telling me how much they like it. I think they're lying. But I appreciate it. Because I have 26 more days of it. :0) Why haven't I posted about this? Because I haven't taken a picture yet. I really meant to do it yesterday when I was all cute for church, but I never got to it. So, you will all just have to imagine it until I get one taken. :0)

So, for now, you will have to deal with this long boring post about how I can't think of something for real to post about. OK? I'll work on something more create for later. Or maybe not. We'll see how I do with adolescent egocentrism. Several assignments on that one....so glad I don't have a teenager yet. Oh yeah....

The Weakest Link

I have struggled for a bit on whether or not I should post this. I have worked VERY hard on it and got an "A". :0) Remember this post? I asked you all for some opinions on a subject I take very seriously. It was for this paper.

I hope no one takes offense to the paper. Remember that it is an expository essay. Everything contained within in it is fact based on research and numerous studies done by REALLY SMART PEOPLE. However....it is my opinion as well. Anyway....read on....

Each generation for the last several decades has criticized the generation after it. Whether it is that the new era of children are lazy, too dependent, or even brazen, it is not often that the older generations cannot find fault in the younger. Children are facing new challenges with each passing year. They experience limited parental availability and family support, lack of responsibility, and more exposure to the ways of the world at a younger age. These occurrences were not familiar to the youth of 50 years ago. Unfortunately, these new challenges are proving to be too overwhelming for the children of today. Are the older generations correct? Are the parents of today raising a weaker generation? Due to the challenges stated, the next generation of children will be the weakest our society has ever seen.

The family is the nucleus of American life. In the 1950’s the normal American family consisted of a working father, a stay-at-home mother, and multiple children. All members of the family lived in the same home. Because of this, children had a more stable environment. Today’s world is far different. The normal family unit as it was known then has dissolved. Due to the rise in divorce rates and the growth in out of wedlock childbirths, the family unit has never been more diverse or unstable. The divorce rates in the 1950s were as low as 2.1 per 1,000 people. In this decade alone, the divorce rates reached 4.0 per 1,000 people (Harvard Magazine, 2004). Though there are still families with parents and children, this rise in divorce rates has added step-parents, step-siblings, and half-siblings to the mix as parents remarry. Some children are now living in two separate households after the divorcement of their parents. This new “mixed” family is now the new norm.

To prevent the loss from a divorce, some couples choose to not marry at all. According to the Rutgers National Marriage Project, “The number of U.S. couples living together without a license shot up 1100 percent between 1960 and 2002…In the 1950s, 95 percent of adults were husbands and wives….and in 2002, just over half.”(2004). Due to these numbers, it is only a natural result that children will be born to unwed parents. Some children do not even have this for an option. According to a study done by the Center for Disease Control, the number of children born to unwed mothers has increased from an average of 4% in the 1950s to 27.1% in 2000 (2000). These children are born into a single parent household, leaving them with far less stability than even those with unmarried parents.

With the rise in divorce rates and children born to unwed or single parents, children today are not allowed the same parental availability and supervision that was given 50 years ago. In a single parent household, that parent must be the sole provider. There is no stay-at-home figure for the child to turn to. This single parent status creates limitations on a parent’s ability to be available to the child because there is only one parent to do the job of two. Such children are left unsupervised and unprotected as their parent may be too burdened financially and emotionally to be effective. For households having two parents, more often than not both parents now have careers outside of the home. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “Of married working couples with children under 18, the percentage of dual-earning couples rose …to 68...” (2001). With both parents working, there are more latch key kids. They are without their parents for more time. This also results in both parents feeling drained at the end of the day, making them less likely to be fully available to their children even when they are home. Ambert’s research noted that, “in a context of social instability, caregivers are required to sustain a higher level of supervision than would be needed in a period of stability. There are now more dangers that confront adolescents than was the case 50 years ago….Poorly monitored youngsters are at a greater risk for delinquency, illicit drug use, early sexual involvement, and even school underachievement.” (2007). As these are unstable times, it can be hazardous to leave children unsupervised in a society where opportunities for problematic behaviors are plentiful. There is a connection that links misbehavior to lack of supervision. If children have parents available to them, the less likely they are to engage in problematic situations.

In 2002, Juvenile crime statistics reported that 2.3 million juveniles were arrested. “Juvenile crime statistics show that crimes committed by juveniles are most likely to occur on school days in the hours immediately following the end of a school day.” (2008). The hours between the school bell ringing and working parents arriving home are prime time for unsupervised children to get into trouble. Without proper guidance and supervision, children are left to figure things out by themselves. This can be detrimental.

Teachers are a dependable source of information on the changes in children’s behaviors over the past 50 years. They have reported that there has been an increase in the number of children misbehaving. Children have become “more difficult to teach, less focused, less able to concentrate, and less self-disciplined.” (Ambert, 2007) Children of this generation expect more from others and give less than children of past decades. They refuse to be held accountable for their actions. With no parental examples, and the constant barrage of wrongful actions being glorified on television and in video games, they can be left with a confused sense of right and wrong.

In the 1950s most households had one television with few channels. Families sat around it together to watch their favorite shows. Today, there are an average of 2.4 televisions per household. According to a study done in 2006, the average American child spends more time watching television than in school. This is not surprising based on the fact that the typical American household has the television on for more than 7 hours per day. This number is staggering, but hardly surprising. Due to these statistics, before finishing grade school, “the average child will witness about 8,000 murders depicted on TV.” (Zimmerman, 2006). Additionally, research has shown that “children are active social actors and participate in the reconstruction of the messages they receive from the media.” (Ambert, 2007). It is no wonder the juvenile crime rates have skyrocketed. Exposure to violence desensitizes the tolerance level of children so that they believe that conflicts can only be resolved with aggression. They lose their ability to deal with frustrations, which makes it harder for them to deal with problems as they come along. Worse yet, as children are exposed to violence, they become impervious to the severity of the consequences involved with such an act.

Not only are our children addicted to television, but once supplied with video games and the internet, they are exposed to far more than children were 50 years ago. A new report from the Nielson Company shows that “more than 40% of television households have a video gaming system.” (McGoughey, 2007). Killing is the goal in many video games. Not only this, but in some, committing crimes is the task that must be completed to win the game. Unfortunately, most of these games are targeted towards children. The child may, in turn, act out what they have done with gaming characters in real life. Additionally, 41.5% of households today have internet access (Newburger, 2001). Though the internet has many useful aspects, if children are left unsupervised as they browse through websites, they may find themselves in places inappropriate for their viewing. Furthermore, having access to everything encompassed within the World Wide Web may not be beneficial. The exposure to things too mature for them may cause them to act inappropriately older.

If it seems like more children are getting into trouble, it may be that there are more problem children today than 50 years ago. The causes for these problems are as diverse as the problems themselves. As Ambert stated, “There are now more dangers that confront adolescents than was the case 50 years ago….Poorly monitored youngsters are at a greater risk for delinquency, illicit drug use, early sexual involvement, and even school underachievement.” (2007). After looking at the research, it appears we have created an enabling environment for children. Of course there are parents that do a good job of raising very well grounded children, but unfortunately a greater proportion are being affected by these new challenges.

Since the 1950’s divorce rates have doubled, parents are less available to their children, juvenile crime rates have skyrocketed, and the access to advanced technology introduces children to too much, too early. Our society may present too many challenges for children to avoid developing problematic behaviors. As we become more technological, materialistic, and sedentary, our children are at a higher risk of emerging from their youth unscarred. It seems we are, in fact, raising a much weaker generation than that of our grandparents.

So, do you still love me? :0)

My opinion on the matter is also this.....our parents didn't have it as hard as our kids do. They could be stronger because they had the ability to be quite a bit more ignorant of the "real world". And yet, I think we also live in a society of permissive parents who place little responsibility on their children and allow them to behave in ways that my parents would have NEVER allowed, let alone my grandparents allowing it of their children. Respect, loyalty, perseverence....these are things that this generation seems to be lacking. Of course, I speak generally here. In no way do I think that EVERY child is lazy and rude. Unfortunately, I find myself talking about "punk kids" doing some "punk thing" and wondering if I was that way when I was younger. And honestly, though I was NEVER perfect...my mom would have grounded me for life for acting disrespectful or rude to anyone. Also...please remember that I have been divorced...I've been the single mom doing my best, but feeling strained and frustrated by the lack of "quality" time I felt I had with my son. Though I think in the end I smothered him a little too much...but that's a story for a different day....We also have three tvs in my house...the internet....and two video game systems on top of the stupid Nintendo DS {did I say stupid? I meant useless.} So don't think I am attempting to portray myself as perfect or wonderful. My paper was based on research. Am I going on too much here? I don't usually get on a BIG soap box...we'll see how it works this time around...

I love a good discussion and I know there have to be some strong opinions out there. Also...in no way do I think that my opinion is better than yours. :0) We are only as smart as we allow ourselves to be. We can't have a good opinion if we don't know all the facts, right? So, lay it on me....what do you think?

Isn't it Ironic?

Honey Bunch wrote about her son's last day of school today. I told her that it would be unforgettable. :0)


Honestly...I think it's because I completely forgot what the last day of school has been like for my son EVERY. YEAR. Except this year.

Because it just happened. :0)


You need proof?

This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago on the last day of 2nd grade. Please pay no attention to my son's dissheveled appearance. This picture was taken at the end of the day and they went swimming on the last day of school.

And....

This picture was taken last year on the last day of school.

Notice the shirt he's wearing in both pictures.....

Yes....my son wore the exact same shirt on the last day of school two years in a row. It obviously fit better in the 1st grade, and wasn't so worn out. Sigh. I remember buying the shirt as school got out. It was warmer and he needed some short sleeved shirts. It may have even been the first time he wore it.

I know you are thinking...why does this matter? Well, see....I'm a scrapbooker. So, these pictures will go down in history on the pages of a book. And, because I can't remember one year to the next...it will show that he wore the EXACT same shirt two years in a row on the EXACT same day. I got a good laugh out of this one. Yes, my son has plenty of shirts to wear. Don't send any in the mail thinking he has only the one shirt. :0) But, seriously...isn't it a funny coincidence?

The Evolution of the Family

I'm looking for some opinions here...and I know you all have them. :0)

My final project for one of my classes is an essay on THE FAMILY. I chose this topic because it means something to me. It's something I feel passionately about. I'm sure all of you can relate. :0) Because my word count is limited, I had to break down this topic to one aspect of THE FAMILY. I chose the "evolution" of the family. Meaning...how the family has changed over the last 50 years and has it changed for the better or has it gotten worse?

My view is that the strength of our children lies within the family unit. If we are a strong family unit, we have the ability to raise strong children. Sure, there are cases when "strong" can end up meaning "strong willed" and our kids rebel and do as they please. :0) BUT, if we instill values in them when they are young, we have a better chance of them living by those values as they grow older.

My question for you is this...

Are our children stronger than we were as children? Were we stronger than our parents? Were they stronger than theirs?

Are you seeing where I'm going with this? In the 1950s the family consisted of the "bread winning" husband, stay at home mom/wife, and several well behaved little children. Right? Everyone appeared to be clean cut. This was the "norm" for back then. This was the era my parents were born in. Television came out about this time. There was no internet. No text messaging or cell phones. You catching my drift? Entertainment was dependant on family and your friends in the neighborhood.

Today, there is no "norm" for the family unit. According to the 2000 Census, the number of married with children households was only 24.1 percent of the population. Numerous families are now what we call "mixed" families. "Step" and "half" parents and siblings are "normal". My family is not immune to this. I was previously married. During this marriage I had my son. I got divorced. I remarried my fabulous hubby and we had a daughter. My children are "half" siblings {though we don't see it as that} and my hubby is my son's stepdad {though he's just dad around here :0) } My ex-husband is remarried. My son has a step-mom as well. Two mom's and two dad's for that kid. They are expecting their first child. He will have another "half" sibling that lives in a different house from him. {Are you confused yet?}

On top of the "abnormalities" with the family unit now, the differences from 50 years ago are numerous.

1. Double income households. Both parents are working. I have been a working mom, a part-time working mom, and a stay at home working mom. :0) I'm not insinuating that one is better than the other. So, don't feel I'm picking on you whatever your situation. I will be going back to work once my daughter is in school all day. I'm just stating the difference. :0)

2. Fewer children per household. {Like my two kids vs. my moms 4 kids vs. my grandma's 8 kids} See the difference?

3. Technological advances. We've got internet, cable tv, video games, cell phones, text messages, and hop in our car whenever we feel like it to go wherever we want. Our new form of family entertainment is to find SOMETHING to entertain us vs. entertaining each other.

4. Stranger danger! I'm a freak when it comes to this. I worry about my kid getting kidnapped everytime I watch Law and Order. Back in the day, neighbors were neighborly. They looked out for each other, including the kids. Though I know a couple of my neighbors, I can't say that we "watch out" for each other. :0(

5. Pre-marital "relations". The whole "family values" thing was strong in the 1950s. Though not everyone saved themselves for marriage, it was more the norm. Nowadays, kids in Jr. High are getting to "know" each other.

So, let me ask again. Do we have stronger family units now? I know we all feel passionately about certain areas I've brought up here. Some areas more than others. Though we are an ever evoloving society, have we become better? Should we go back to the way it was in the 1950s? Maybe in some ways and not others?

Thanks for your opinions. It will help as I write my paper. Though I can't use your actual words because it's an expository essay, it will help me to focus more on certain aspects over others.