Is the American Family Under Attack?

[eldruidacosmico]

Speaking in terms of family (not just American because I live in Costa Rica and we also have families and globalization here) I think the fact that we have been forced to evolve to be more progressive (tolerant to gay and women rights, oposing racial and social prejudice) doesn't mean we have to lose the sence of family as the base of human morality in a society. Institutions are too rigid and families are all different and can't be stereotyped, but I totaly agree with you guys!

[majikJess]

OMG KOTECKI IS A SEXY BOI MWAH XXX

[MrHujwamwdupe]

boring, the only reason why racism so fucking stupid is sex. Sex shouldn't be enslaved so if i want to fuck a black girl or a chinese girl or latin girl white girl whatever no motherfucker will ever tell my that i should not.

[Neomoonqueen]

Morals are lost. That's the issue.

[sorenti]

could you elaborate, what have we lost? people always talk about morals, but actually, is there anything behind 'morals'? i always see the word as facade for ignorance and narrowmindedness

[Neomoonqueen]

What's behind 'morals' are those who believe in them. What people believe greatly impact just about anything. I'm not talking about religion. I'm talking about life styles. There are so many radical people doing absurd things just for one thing. Such as corrupting a judge to appear innocent in a murder trial. With the loss of moral, trust was lost. Without trust, they're can be no order. And without order..

[sorenti]

you wrote a lot and said nothing. i still don't get it what You are losing

[Neomoonqueen]

What I am l losing is my sense of security. I'm not in the right mood to explain any further, perhaps someone else will who understands my ramblings. Sorry.

[sorenti]

i don't see why people should forget money. it's ridiculous that a certain group should impose their view upon others.

but instead of moral i think people should be talking about conscience. because moral is often used as excuse to hurt other people (prop 8; death penalty). even worse, i've discovered people start talking about moral when they've actually run out of reasoning, but they just feel "a certain way". so often it's only used to excuse their double standards.

[Neomoonqueen]

If people still thought it was safe to let their kids run around all day around the neighborhoods, if people put family before money. You know, they typical 'It's A Wonderful Life' scenario. When no one looked for different ways to sue someone. Also, when anyone can agree life in jail was a hard one and you paid for your crime.

[Neomoonqueen]

Or course, life in jail is better now, but we've lost a lot over the years. Therefore, I think the American Family is not under attack, since there really is no such thing as 'American Family.' Those with the happy and moralated life-style, should influence that upon others. I think it would be a great thing to feel safe with your neighbors and not have to worry so much.

Morals are, to me anyway, just a simplistic version of what's right. Forget money, and just live. You know, cliche.

[kasakagegaara]

its politically correct now, and if they didnt, sence everyone seus for everything, they have to. I think the american family is under attack as in it needs to be re modeled, and looked at and re evaluated, so, yes i think it is, but it isnt that drastic just yet, just hope it doesnt get any worse, of course things need to get worse before they get better. love your vids, subbed

[kasakagegaara]

when i saw the title first thing that came to mind was terrorism, then during buffing what you said came to mind, i think it is in a way, but anyone else notice that the picture of a family is a whit dad a white mom a boy and girl both white and a dog and a cat...why are they all white if america is a melting pot? and why are those pictures in school books (elementary) without blacks? though im in highschool, and now theres blacks in the books, but you can just see, their in there, because it

[MrCaptin1988]

The american culture of ''dog eat dog'', ''stab you in the back to get ahead'', ''its all about money, money, money'',''competition, competition'', thats whats at the matter here. In fact I would go as far to say that American capitalism is the enemy. The american corporate mentality is the enemy.

[SquealingBladder]

@MrCaptin1988 I would like to elaborate a bit on what you said. Look at how prices have gone up way more than job pay, and how there is very little job security now in this country. I don't like the idea of the "American Family" at all and think it's more of an ideal than anything, but the reason it was at least somewhat realistic back then was because it was way easier to buy things and support a family, so yes, the corporate mentality, and in turn corporations, are the enemy.

[RueBroadway]

The ideal American family that you mentioned is an ideal that only existed for those who could afford it. I believe that the moral "Republican" family never existed. The problems we have today were always there, just hidden behind closed doors.

I believe that the family is a forever changing group of individuals that adapts to it's specific environment, to the needs of said group. And I do think policies need to be flexible enough to change with the ever changing definition of family.

[THEDUDE163]

black dude likes men

[AcePilot101]

I read somewhere that 90 percent of all murders are committed by men. I wonder, is this true? If abortion is murder (I think so) then women have killed about 50 million people since "Roe versus Wade". Which kinds explains why the American family is f-word up.

[bibli13]

and these women potentially prevented murders as well. there is a strong correlation between abortion and crime rate would famlies that would have killed their own child really be that great anyway?

[mellabop]

In the process of creating woman's rights, we've taken away choice. The average HH tax is 30% and on average, women bring home 30% income. Women now work to pay taxes. Between working, health, cooking, cleaning, financial planning, etc there's not always time to sit down as a family. Kids are often getting raised by the tv, influenced by peers, xbox etc. After working 8 hours a day and transmuting, there's not always time to come home, cook a healthy dinner, read books, and talk about values.

[GenMata]

Stop funding Feminist organizations and you will end many social ills.

[PikaBrid]

The way to fix the family is an inward thing, no political act can fix it. No other success makes up for failure in the home. Parents should teach their children what is right and wrong, and spend time creating the family relationships that are needed.

[vancouverbluz]

divorce rate is about 50% in phoenix that may have something to do with the decline of family life at least locally.

[timmchap35]

these guys are so annoying!

[mrkmoua]

Sigh, I so want to eat a waffle right now. I think I'mma go buy me some. Oh, back to the subject at hand. Its not the American family that is under attack. Its America. America is always under attack. In some shape or form, its always getting b*tch slapped. Although it does do its fair share of b*tch slapping as well.

[SkzFgsn]

dicks need pussy.

[mmoore7]

#1 What exactly is a man and what exactly is a woman? God made Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve, that's an undeniable fact, but what about the other 700 something models of sexuality that have been observed nature? If god didn't pull the trigger on those who did?

[yellowdogger]

im not really sure what your asking but i just wanted to point out that if anyone actually uses that Adam and Steve line they are admitting that they believe the world was created by 1 male and one female and we are all offspring of ancient incest.

it was probably a clever line when someone first said Adam and Steve but it is not a line suitable for the use in debate, unless of course someone actually believes the adam and eve story to the letter...

[LosAngelesWriter]

While pro-gay PR machine will tell you that anything can be a "family", like 3 guys sitting in a bathtub, the ideal family is a healthy relationship between a husband and wife who lovingly raise their children.

I say husband and wife because contrary to the GLADD PR line, men and women bring specific, inherent qualities to childrearing that two women or two men or three women or four men (whatever your subjective idea of family is), simply cannot do.

[PhuckGod]

does that include the people born in the United States whose parents are illegal immigrants?

And I'm not sure "deconstructionalism" is really the most appropriate term for what they're discussing. This isn't the same thing as Derrida attempting to abolish binary oppositions--I think they are discussing, in a realistic manner, the question of "WHAT" the American family, de facto, is.

[herockdoza]

I don't care what anybody else says, if these guys want to use you tube as practice and stepping stone to getting where they want to be. more power to them

[smellpickle]

say, let me ask u this if your blue tooth falls off your ear? do you take it to the dentist ,now thats somethung to talk about

[smellpickle]

i dont want to sound stupid, but this shit is just worthless as the shit you hear on tv STUPID

[mommaterra1]

Most Black women in the 50s and 60s did not have the luxury or even choice to stay at home! Corporatism, yes! Bad! 'Family' has rightly been expanded to include same-sex unions, with or without children. Now, if we can return to a simpler life, we can evade corporatism, or the false choices of paid labor, and enjoy our lives ... but only if we, as citizens, participate in government. It's not who we elect, it's how much we participate, that will make the difference!

[zita1950]

We need more than 15 seconds to answer that.

[GREYDE2]

hey wats the relationship between u guys?

[holyjesus]

just some volume issues MHM MHM

[bruisehand]

Yeah, I like Kotecki's level of volume and intensity better.

[alyceclover]

You guys might do well to publish these vids at Associated Content, giving them non-exclusive rights, of course. 1950s family? Not to get racist or anything but I remember those days; the American family was white people. Go back there? No thank you. That may be why the Religious right feels the American family is under attack. What they mean is the WASP view is on it's way out and they do not like it.

[majinspy]

Conservatives (those resistant to change) first said that marriage by love would be chaos. At one time polygamy ruled the day. Interracial marriage was thought to be untenable. Now they tell us that if gays get married everything will go to hell in a handbasket. They've been shilling this crap that any change will destroy the system for hundreds of years.

[sanfelipe32007]

To define the american family is difficult, because it leads us to other questions like: 1)what's an american?

2)what's America?

If people of the United States are not even able to answer this they would never be able to define the "AMERICAN FAMILY"

I've always found the U.S.A facinating, because of it being something difficult to define.

my conclussions are somehow not very hopeful for that country though.

[smopsy]

Very original. Very American. You guys are good.

[da9illest821]

you guys sgoukd have a live feed, so people can call in and e-mail comments and questions

[blahblahblahman]

Dude. This is such an original and creative idea in the scope of youtube...this is awesome, please keep making videos.

This is just such a great idea.

[STOLENNAME25]

I aggree with you both. Since the internet, tv, and global corporations, times have changed and we've had to adapt in order to survive/advance. It was also the womens movement that started the trend of both parents working, However as I look at the next generation I belive that the lack of attention they receive due to parents working, tv, ect. will cause problems with the basic's of human interaction leaving a world with very lost, lonley people who have no idea what family values are.

[STOLENNAME25]

How does the writer wanting to get more money for his work really have anything to do with the American family? I find it almost insulting that these hollywood writers are trying to use and the manipulate the American public to further how much money they are wanting to earn per script.

[angelina247]

Stole, writers getting more money is the same as nurses or coal miners or any other American working for an honest dollar. It might not seem as important to you, but those nurses and coal miners go home and turn on the tv or rent dvd's. Somebody wrote the stuff we're all watching and they should be paid a fair wage. Producers shouldn't get rich while workers slave to make them so.

[WESTFREE2]

Great commentary in your posts, but I always get stuck on David's gorgeous lips. McMillan, if you'd like to give Keyes something to rant about, I'm here for you in NYC whenever you're ready.

[Debonan]

Attack? Who's attacking? A family is the RELATIONSHIPS between loved ones. No matter what the economic, social, political, etc. strands tell them is wrong with their lives, the family continues to exist in various forms as long as humankind exists. People need the love and energy of others to thrive and be the best they can be. There is no one "right" way to have or be a family....so no one is under attack unless they decide they are and believe it.

[Elk4758]

Re-watching this video made me want to add: it is about morals, not about economics. Just look at all the rich divorce lawyers.

[drawspikachu]

yes i do think that the family life is under attack. how many families sit at the table and talk while they eat anymore? now we have the TV(s) in every home and everyone watches TV all night, sometimes not even in the same room. plus how many shows/movies are family friendly any more? sitting down and watching something together is really a thing of the past. now you will find that half of the family is watching one movie and the other is watching another in another room.

[classic14rider]

Sorry to be long-winded guys, but after re-playing the video I just caught the part about "what should we do about it?" On the economic side: read up on Alexander Hamilton's rationale for establishing the First National Bank to set interest rates and lending priorities, and do likewise. On the cultural end of things: Joining a Church (or a Mosque, Temple, or Synagogue)wouldn't hurt.

[classic14rider]

The economic attack on the American family is reflected in the shift of income by comparing census data from 1970 with 2000. In 1970 the top 20% of income brackets had 67.8% of income; by 2000 it crept up to 69.6%. In 1970 the bottom 20% had a 14.9% share of income; by 2000 it dwindled to an 12.5% share. So some families are more under attack than others. Middle class also lost ground moving from 17.4% of income down to 14.8%.

[Elk4758]

Yeah the American family is under attack, but it's not really something the government can fix. I guess making sure tax laws and welfare programs don't favor single parents over married parents might help a little.

[sctld]

It's a myth that women only went to work as a reuslt of feminism. Poor women always worked. MEven in the fifties, poor women worked as cleaners, nurses, factory workers, etc, etc. We have to let go of this myth that feminism drove women out of the kitchen and into the workplace, because it simply isn't true. Feminsim questioned what type of work women should do, and contended that the work they did at the time was demeaning.

[TeamS811]

The American Family is an endangered species. fewer people get married, fewer people are having children, and more people are getting divorced. i am a woman, and i think that women have stepped beyond the line.  A mother needs to raise the children not be in an office. Children from households with both original parents that are married and with one parent home are happier and much better behaved children. These children are one in a dozen now.

[Remoteum]

These two geniuses, Dufus and Erkel, do a piece on "The Attack on the American Family" and don't mention that 70% of negro children are illegitimate! Take the post office exam fools you will amount to nothing in jounalism.

[RogCBrand]

I'm sure they will consult with you from now on to find what issues you want them to cover. They don't have an hour long program to get into all details, so they'll need you to point out what YOU consider the most important points to mention!

Or, maybe you could do your own videos & discuss what you think is most important?

[angelina247]

I think the fact that no American family can even purchase a main stream doll made in the United States says it all. The fact that these basic jobs are exported is a sin. I knew people many years ago that worked for Mattel in the US. NO more!

Good discussion guys.

[RogCBrand]

Yes, the loss of middle class America will mean more problems- both for more kids living in or near poverty, but also financial problems increase marital troubles. The problem is if those dolls were made in the U.S. for good wages they'd cost $200! This issue is killing America but I can't see any answer!

[angelina247]

Maybe you're right and the dolls would cost $200.00. On the other hand, maybe the CEO's of those companies could give up their half million bonuses and allow workers in the US to make a decent wage. I don't think it's an all or nothing issue.

[RogCBrand]

Oh, I agree that those parasite CEOs who not only do little for the massive amounts they get paid, but can even run a company into the ground & still come away rich while the workers are left penniless should be paid realistically- the same goes for those ultra rich liberal celebrities who could share more of their profits with those behind the scenes. There are wasteful rich on both sides!

[RogCBrand]

But in the end we are faced with a smaller world where people in India can have what to them is a great paying job in customer service, which is still a fraction of what Americans would want for that job. Even taking away CEO profits doesn't quite make it work. I'm afraid we just won't ever again see the America that our parents & grandparents enjoyed!

[angelina247]

Regarding jobs going to India, I recently saw a report that those jobs we exported to India are allowing them to become more self sufficient and go to school and start businesses to elevate their status in India. Now many of them won't take those jobs anymore for what we are paying. Of course, companies will continue to seek cheaper and cheaper labor all over the globe, while fattening their already fat pockets. It's sickening.

[vulpix]

I find it interesting that you used the word "attack," because it begs the following question: Who is the attacker? There's no question nuclear families have become rarer over the decades, but it seems to me that is the product of a host of social and economic factors--not of any specific individual or entity.

[RogCBrand]

Absolutely Nate! It's a very complex issue! I know many women in my family & friends who once they had kids wanted to be able to stay home with the kids-above all because they aren't comfortable in today's world leaving their children with anyone outside of family & friends. But in today's world most can't afford to-though child care eats up so much of what they make!

[nasanerd33]

I think that family, in the sense of togetherness, is not there much anymore. I don't see many families that all eat dinner together. Attack is a strong word though...

[RogCBrand]

In fact, if we look back something like 100 years ago, it was multigeneration families, with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins & even long term neighbors who were like family. Of course no time in history was perfect, but there are good things from the past that it was a shame to lose!

[BrickSalad]

The "american family" is changing. It is sort of switching to a different mode. A mode that isn't sexist. We need to give up on this old Provider and nurturer ideal and forge a new one. What worries me is that that isn't happenning. The family is more like, disintegrating. When society replaces parents, we end up with a bunch of vanilla folk.

[RogCBrand]

Yes! I don't mind if it's the mom or dad who stays home with the kids- or even a couple I know who choose to have one work days and one work nights so one is always with the kids. Kids need to have time with their parents, especially in the early years when they are developing so quickly. Sending them all off to daycare isn't the best for the kids. But it's what happens more because of economics, etc.

[rowflowers]

I love how the only people you imply as responsible for the breakup of the family are feminists. Your like, it could be this global economic force, or it might be women. (Except, you both seems to not want to say that in particular.) Frankly, it offends me to have men talk about women's role in the family. Its like straight people talking about what it is like to be gay. You don't understand. Speak from your expertise, not your conjecture.

[Shadopheonix]

I don't think that's what they were saying. I think that what they were saying was that the dynamic of what the American Family acts like was changed by the movement in allowing women to work. Not the Family was corrupted, but simply that the idea of what a family is changed. I personally come from a broken home so family is important to me, but family means something different, as generally it is the friends I hold around me and the small family that I have left.

[KoteckiandMcMillan]

what i meant by this was that it's not appropriate to say the american family is under attack simply simply because now both parents are working - because, as i said, many women want to work. in other words, this piece of evidence for the american family being under attack is not rock solid, since both parents working can imply choice or necessity.

[RogCBrand]

This charge of the guys attacking feminists is ridiculous & reminds me of when I've been told that as a guy I have no say on my opinion of abortion. But my mom's mom, dad and most of their families tried to get my mom to abort me & only my dad's mom stood against them. We are all affected by things & political correctness police shouldn't be allowed to silence us!

[classic14rider]

Excellent point about how these decisions affect us all, RogCBrand. Tactics of political correctness that say "shut up because you cannot understand" are just ways to shut down discussion.

[RogCBrand]

Exactly! Thanks! I think it's playing with fire because special interest groups that live by accusations of hate speech can just as easily be the next victims of another special interest group that wants to silence them!

[MsDezzyzRayz]

@rowflowers Why should men have no say in how their family is raised?

[sweetysanta]

i had a bad idea of what an american family is.. (too much divorce & young parents-i have a friend who has a friend in his fifth marriage)...am from Africa-bn here for 2yrs,-never heard something like this before ...i knew marriage was only once....so all along i have been thinking America has weak family ties till today when we had to talk about ourselves in a public speaking class...I realised that there may be imperfection- but yes, strong American families r still out there....i love that :)

[sweetysanta]

i had a bad idea of what an american family is.. (too much divorce & young parents-i have a friend who has a friend in his fifth marriage)...am from Africa-bn here for 2yrs,-never heard something like this before ...i knew marriage was only once....so all along i have been thinking America has weak family ties till today when we had to talk about ourselves in a public speaking class..I realized that there may be imperfection- but yes, strong American families r still out there....i love that :)

[saturateu]

schools should teach math, history, science and english... they should stay out of family life such as teaching sex ed and providing birth control and abortions to students w/o any parental involvement.

[classic14rider]

About the family: Yes, we do not want to return to the 1950s, however it would be nice to be able to support a family on a single income once again. I think the family is under attack, both economically and culturally, I mean, look at the divorce rate the number of single parent households (which seem to have become the norm). Wages for the lowest 40% of income brackets are too low and values have become too "relative."

[zkillergt]

i feel the increase in the divorce rate has less to do with changes in the economy, than a general change in mentality and the values we hold. back in the day it was shameful to get a divorce, especially for women, while today it is widely excepted.

i wouldn't go as far as to say that the "american family" is under attack, as it is a world wide problem. i have lived in both the states and europe, and it is an issue that exist on both sides of the atlantic.

[classic14rider]

Agreed, zkillergt. Divorce is more closely related to cultural relativism, but families are also stressed out due to the decline in wages relative to the rising cost of housing (rent or mortgages), education and college tuition, health insurance premiums, and even vehicles (not to mention energy prices). I also agree, as a cultural problem, it is more pronounced in Europe -- so I would consider this both an economic and cultural "attack."

[zkillergt]

agreed. my original reply was much longer, but comments are limited to 500 words. basically, my point was precisely that family elsewhere in the world are facing many of the same issues both economically and culturally, thus it isn't just an attack on the "american family", but rather an attack on families in general. whereas i find attack to be the wrong word, but i'm trying to go with the theme. :)

[zkillergt]

sorry, but i have to correct myself. i misread your reply. i disagree that the cultural problem is more pronounced in europe, but rather that the economic issues are much stronger in europe. for instance, food for thought - the current gas price in the area of germany i currently reside in is roughly $6.93 USD per gallon of premium fuel.

[Elk4758]

I think you need to define supporting a family. Do you mean support as in afford a 50's style 1,500 sq-ft ranch house and a good used car with the help of the wife cooking to save money on food (like the way it was back in the 50's). Or support as in afford a 2,300 sq-ft house and new SUV, new minivan and eating out constantly because both parents are working to "make ends meet" and have no time to cook.

Also I looked it up and the average size of a single family home in 1950 was 983 sq-ft.

[classic14rider]

Actually you don't have to go as far back as the 1950s, the early (pre-oil hike) 1970s will do. In constant dollars the cost of purchasing the average home was $50,000; today it is $250,000. The difference between the 1970s and today is back in the 70s you could expect to eventually OWN the home instead of permanently making mortgage payments on it.

[classic14rider]

Also, in the early 70s rent or mortgage payments on average did not exceed 33% of household income; today the cost of housing gobbles up too much of household income for families to be economically secure.

[classic14rider]

One last point, with the real estate bubble, which is draining family income, even if you compare homes of comparable sizes the price of the home has skyrocketed out of the range of household budgets; part of the attack on the family has been Greenspan's monetarist economic policies.

[Elk4758]

I'm sure there are a few places where a 1,500 sq-ft house (average house size in 1970) is $250,000, but it's not the norm. Average home size today (well 2004) is 2,349.

Put: "CENTRAL CALIFORNIA HOUSING CRASH" Into the YouTube search. The forecloses aren't coming from people buying basic 1,500 sq-ft ranch houses. They're big houses with in-ground pools.

I'm not saying there isn't a lack of good stable jobs out there, but it seem pretty clear to me that people are spending more money.

[zkillergt]

when considering average cost of living, you also got to figure in the average income to truly make a fair comparison.

back in the day a dollar was a lot of money and you could buy new cars for a fraction of todays automobiles.

[Elk4758]

The reason car cost more now is because there is more to them. Back then A/C was a high end option, airbags weren't even around, they didn't have fuel injection, they didn't have power locks and windows. I could go on and on and on.

The reason a 1975 Ford Pinto was $2,800 and a 2008 Ford Focus is $14,100 is because it's batter in every way. It's faster, safer, more fuel efficient, quieter, better handling etc.

[zkillergt]

i guess you could argue it that way, but in the end it has little to do with all of that. MSRP is a mixture of production cost and profit margin. 50 years ago wages were much lower than what they are now. which translate to a cheaper vehicle. same goes for houses. their is no way for the cost of such things to not go up, regardless of whether they are better or not. rising production costs is what drives prices up, which ironically drives minimum wage up, which again raises production cost.

[Elk4758]

Ok I should have added that inflation did played a part it the price increase, but it's still not the main reason for it.

I'm going to get more specific to try to make my point clear. The $2,800 Pinto had a 83 hp engine and got 34 mpg (keep in mind the fuel economy test they do today is harder then the one they did back in 1975). The $14,100 Ford Focus they sell today has a 140 hp engine and gets 35 mpg.

[zkillergt]

the size or HP rating of the engine has little to do with it in this particular case. the 2.0 zetec ford motor you speak of is mass produced by machines... your point earlier about the cost of ac back then and today isn't quite correct either. it's like saying cars were cheaper 15 years ago because they didn't have a nav system. the more technology progress's, the cheaper such niceties get and are eventually included as standard options. i do understand where you are coming from though.

[Elk4758]

To really get down to it Ford couldn't legally sell the 1975 Pinto today. That's how massive the difference is.

Complaining about the cost of car today compared to the past. Is like complaining about a 42" LCD HDTV costing more then a 27" CRT TV. They may do basically the same thing, but they are miles apart.

[zkillergt]

now we are on the same page. :)

[classic14rider]

The Hollywood Writer's Guild is the only union I know of that can get positive media coverage when it goes on strike, and they don't seem to be nearly as strapped as the rest of us are. You guys will be back next week? You mean you are working over Thanksgiving holiday? Cool.

[HabsRule92Remy92]

You want more government, in the private home? What's happening to you guys? Have you lost your minds? We're probably fucked because people vote based on a candidates "family values" garbage instead of a sound political platform. It's the same as voting for Edwards based on his sex appeal. I hope I misunderstood what you guys said. I wasn't paying that much attention.

[SparklestheClown]

Our quality of life for the middle to lower income groups has certainly taken a serious hit.

Any group of people chosing to life together could be construed as a family. We are only as strong as our weakest links - and they have been under attack economically - therefore quality. Corps. Insur. Cos. can make a difference by not ripping off the little guy.