Jul
3
Counter-Culture to Culture
July 3, 2008 |
I love history, especially trying to learn how we got to where we are at from where we were. One thing that puzzles me is how we got to our current culture, especially considering that it was considered the counter-culture forty years ago.
So, how did the counter-culture become the culture? And what should we do about it, especially those of us who are concerned about the children and the cultural environment in which they are growing up?
In his newsletter this month, Matthew Kelly is on point -
“The most cursory and elementary examination of our culture along the lines of the hopes and dreams we have for our families quickly reveals that our current culture and any authentic vision of family are massively at odds with each other. But what are we willing to do about it?
“Most parents say they would do whatever was necessary to help their child grow free and strong and succeed. But are you willing to be countercultural? This is the question it all hangs upon.
“By being countercultural I mean being willing to step away from the culture whenever it does not help you and your family to become a-better-version-of-yourselves. People who are countercultural are often ridiculed. This can be difficult, but it can also be clarifying and can help both children and parents to develop character. And the truth is, if enough people choose a countercultural lifestyle, they will create a new culture. That is the only way a new culture will be born. If enough people stop going to movies that are filled with violence and foul language, the powers that be will start making more movies that support you in your quest to become your best self. This is true across all industries. The markets will go where there is demand.
“It is abundantly clear what the fruits of our current culture are. We must decide if this is what we want for our children, our families, and ourselves. If we want a different result, then we must take a different approach. If we want a radically different result, then we need a radically different approach. And I assure you, this will require more courage and inner fortitude on the part of parents than it will from our children. It is hard to be a leader, and make no mistake, your role as a parent is a leadership role.”
And maybe that’s the answer. We have to create a counter-culture and say “no” to the prevailing culture. Soon enough, the counter-culture will become the culture.
Oh, and just so I don’t create any misunderstanding - I’m not talking about returning to the ’50s. What I am talking about is creating a culture that is conducive to raising a family. The ideal culture has the best of today’s, mixed with the best of yesterday’s, mixed with the best of tomorrow’s.
Who knows, we might even get to a point where our children will live in a much safer world; where they are allowed to be children and not forced to grow up before their time.
