October 31, 2006 7:31 AM
Depressing news
George Barna conducts research which is helpful for anyone seeking to understand our culture. For those hoping for a turnaround in our country's morality, the news is not good. Here is an excerpt from his latest on the mindset of the Busters - the generation produced by the morally freewheeling Baby Boomers.
Nearly half of all pre-Busters said they view moral truth as absolute, but only three out of 10 Busters embraced the concept of absolute truth. Two-thirds of those over 40 said humans should determine what is right and wrong morally by examining God’s principles; less than half of Busters felt this way. Instead, nearly half of Busters said that ethics and morals are based on “what is right for the person,” compared with just one-quarter of pre-Busters.
Read the full report A New Generation of Adults Bends Moral and Sexual Rules to Their Liking for specific attitudes toward sexual conduct, drugs and alcohol, profanity, gambling and more. It's shocking to find how the morality of young adults who identify themselves as Christians resembles their peer group more than the tenets of their faith.
When asked to put the findings about Busters in context, especially in comparison to the views and behaviors of Baby Boomers, Kinnaman explained that “the morality of Busters comes from a very different background. For instance, divorce, crime, single-parent households, and suicide were much more prevalent while Busters grew up. Boomers took moral experimentation to new heights, but Busters now live in a world where such experimentation is the norm, not the exception. Busters have a more disconnected, individualized, less trusting spin on morality. They are trying to create a sense of identity because they feel that shaping influences such as family, church, and community have failed them. Boomers experimented to overthrow the morals of their parents, while Busters live with a mindset of trying to survive.
Not the best news for those of us who care about this sort of thing. But something to pray about - and to help us remember how important our work as mothers is.
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Comments
The study said, "Boomers experimented to overthrow the morals of their parents, while Busters live with a mindset of trying to survive." While I understand it, I don't necessarily agree with such sweeping statements.
I'm a buster, and like Boomers, I have done well to overthrow the morals of my parents, but not in the way you are thinking.
I grew up in a difficult home, one where I felt in the way and unwanted. I had parents dancing over the line of indecency. Drugs abounded. Divorce. Neglect.
So I rebelled. Positively. I'm raising my children differently. I'm a buster who's busted out.
I would hate for folks to think my generation is apathetic, self-centered louts who live in a quagmire of relativism. It's not always the case.
Posted by: relevantgirl | November 1, 2006 2:46 AM
Mary, you are so right! And I'm glad you spoke up about it. The fact that there are Busters who want something better than the legacy of the Boomers is what inspires me to write.
Of course it's sweeping generalities - but it is true for many people.
I identify more with the Busters because although I'm a Boomer, my parents were on the cutting edge of the Do-Your-Own-Thing Sexual Revolution. My background is similar to yours.
At first I continued the trend, grabbing onto the counterculture of the 60s and 70s following my own path of immorality.
But God got my attention in 1980 - though I didn't become a Christian until '87. Since then, I've been working as you have to learn and grow and have what it takes to create a solid foundation for my kids.
So though I'm probably old enough to be your mother, I understand just what you're saying!
Note to readers: Mary deMuth is the real deal and author of Building the Christian Family You Never Had.
Posted by: barbara | November 1, 2006 7:39 AM
