Learn the other examples of things that are increasingly disrupting and undermining the strength of families:
• Institutions and professionals disempowering parents. Increasing accent is being placed on "experts" in child development, education, mental health, socialization, rather than parents as the ones who are in the best position to care for, support, and guide the development of children. Although professionals are not claiming that they are better at loving children than parents are, at least not yet, one can only wonder how parents are supposed to love their children when they have little time with them and have been told they are incapable of raising them properly and that their children probably have problems or will soon.
• Changes in the economy and in employment practices are making it more difficult for parents to earn a reasonable amount of necessary money in a reasonable amount of time.
Millions of American's working families do not have the necessary means for basic self-sufficiency. It looks no better for the next generation. Thus, in 2000, average high-school educated workers age 25-29 started out earning about $5,000 less real income and could expect slower growth in earnings than those who entered the labor force in 1970.
A college education does not guarantee a "good job" or economic security. Along with recent college graduates, 25-35% will not be able to find jobs that require a college degree. Additionally, the typical laid-off college graduate now suffers a 30% loss of income (up from 10% in the 1980s) because of foregone pay raises in the old job and lower wages in the new one.
Job security and stability is decreasing. For instance, in 1978, a middle-aged American male could expect to remain with the same employer for 11 years. That prospect has been reduced to seven and a half years. During that time, the average length of unemployment has increased from 13 weeks to almost 20.
Outsourcing is touching many jobs overseas.
• Many countries have tax laws and employment practices that are more supportive of families than those in the United States, including paying new mothers a substantial portion of their salary to stay home with their children for several years and granting generous maternal and paternal leave. Recent tax reforms favor the rich at the expense of families and others with less money. Escalating tax deductions for dependents would be an easy, simple, straightforward, and fair way to provide support and more financial resources to families.
• Young people’s stereotypes presented in the media and other places indicate the extent to which our culture is at war with its youth, despite the fact that youth are increasingly asking for more time with their parents. Helping young people, it would be in adults' self-interest to develop better relations with the people who will be responsible for their future.
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