Americans are constantly extolling 'traditions'; litanies to family values are at the center of every politician's discourse. And yet the culture of America is extremely corrosive of family life, indeed of all traditions except those redefined as 'identities' that can be accepted as part of larger patterns of distinctiveness, cooperation, and openness to innovation.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- American politicians praise tradition while policies often undermine family and traditional structures.
- In plain terms
- Politicians claim to support tradition but their culture weakens it.
- What can you take from it?
- Rhetoric often contradicts cultural reality.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does policy match stated values?
- How does culture affect family?
Another view
Change can strengthen family forms rather than destroy them.
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