I've been traveling and wanted to wait until I was home and could focus on Clifton Roscoe's essay. Once again an excellent analysis. So often, as individuals, we know what to do but how to affect change across society is the challenge. I've been screaming since the early 90s the problem is at the family level (specifically the decline in in-tact families) but even in-tact families can abdicate parental responsibilities.
But even so, that doesn't speak to the motivation of the individual expectant mother-to-be. /the cited statistics show that the same demographic can include both a high percentage of fatherless children AND an outlier percentage of ones who perish through abortion.
While none of this is surprising to any of us who have read or watched the news for the past 20 years, it is helpful to see the multiple dimensions of the problem/malaise pulled together comprehensively. Another implicit dimension of the data is the bifurcation of society...see the graph linking educational attainment with Medicaid usage. There is a portion of the nation that is focused on nutrition, obesity, life balance, etc. for kids. This is a modern day version of Michael Harrington's The Other America, though it is on steroids given the erosion of our middle class, radically shifted social norms, and wealth concentration AND SOCIAL MEDIA addiction.
America is increasingly a schizophrenic society saturated with many contradictions and indifference. The symptoms will worsen with the increasing role and alienation of neoliberalism.
"Black women are nearly four times more likely to have an abortion than white women.
Black women make up the largest percentage of all abortions performed and have the highest abortion rate, according to 2019 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most recent year for which the CDC reported this information.
Out of 629,898 abortions reported to the CDC for 2019, Black women accounted for 38.4 percent of them. By comparison, white women made up 33.4 percent of those abortions.
Abortion rates were 3.6 times higher among Black women when compared to white women."
Data has marginal value for understanding the corrosive cultural changes that have transpired since the end of Vietnamese war. There are many strands, but I'll list a few: Gangsta Rap Culture; genesis of snowflake responses to faux problems that have been championed by feminist emotionalism; decline of standards and accountability for so many aspects of life. Acceptance that "legal" is anything you can get away with. Adoption of the value that criminal actions are social justice; victims should never "narc" on perps. Finally, widespread growth of tolerance for illegal drug abuse that is insulated from criticism because it is a 'victimless' crime. Salvation will require more than a thousand marines.
Fascinating, and sad to see 74% of kids are on free or reduced lunches! I think the way we handled COVID is a strong sign that we prioritize the needs of the older (let’s say baby boomer generation) over the needs of the kids (currently gen Z and polars). I’m sure part of the phenomenon is that the years when to start a family (for women late twenties to early thirties) are the years where income is lowest. According to https://www.cbo.gov/publication/58533, “ The median wealth of older families was greater than that of families under age 50 over the entire 30-year period. Until 2010, the median wealth of the oldest group (age 65 or older) was less than that of the second-oldest group (ages 50 to 64). Since then, the oldest group’s median wealth has been the greatest.” so it sounds like the wealth gains are greatest in the boomers, and the later generations have had less wealth growth. If that is the case, as it seems to be from personal experience, these trends will only continue. Compared with my parents, housing is more expensive, retirement benefits are less generous, raising children is more expensive, and college is far less affordable so student debts will be higher. By the time my children would be old enough to to start families, if these trends continue, I suspect even fewer will be able to afford a comfortable family life - even if they get good jobs and wait until married to have children.
What's interesting is that he never once mentioned the word 'black'. This is one of the few articles about the problems facing *all* kids, not just one group.
Glenn, I'd love to see Mr. Roscoe on your show to discuss some of these issues with John and you. Seems very complex and difficult to tackle most of these issues. Pandora's Box is open.
Appreciate the author's suggestions on how to address the myriad of issues at the individual level. Personally, it feels like a lopsided game with the favor heavily bent to the business/industry side. Business/industry need to be held to higher public health standards if we're going to create conditions for more people (kids and adults) to live healthier lives.
I understand that about 75% of black children are born to single mothers. Before or around 1960, that number was around 10%. The rates for Hispanic is also high and whites are also climbing. Asians remain low.
Was the sexual revolution a catastrophe for the family?
In 2022; I observed (a) A young woman approx 22 years old in the presence of a much older “boyfriend”. She seemed vulnerable, naive and under-educated. (b) A very young man at a bar who was involved with people who were 4 decades older than him. Again, naive and vulnerable. In 2023; I don’t know of any institution that would be able to provide them with guidance on human development.
In 2023; I heard stories about elementary school students being trained to not question and to not challenge information, (indoctrination). School in 2023 provides an experience that is psychological abuse. Competent idea exploration, discourse and intellectual curiosity are skills that would serve young adults who navigate the world beyond home. But, school indoctrination robs children of the opportunity to develop these skills.
Ideally, APA or NIMH guidelines on child development (0-17 yrs) would be the standard that schools would emulate. But, instead are part of the problem; (NIMH website announces minority mental health month, click takes you to page in Spanish.) I suggest DoNoHarm until we reform our federal agencies.
A recent study published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) shows that mental health use in the US by youth surged during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially among girls. This study used data through 2022. Here is a link to the abstract.
You would not consider my parents tolerant, but would consider them loving. I can remember my mother sitting at the kitchen table every night drilling me on that days school work . Even being in a religious school was consider inadequate. I believe my father never earned more than 10k in any year. Me and my brother were job number one for both my parents, but excuses were not well received.
I would like to see some data on Greenland
I've been traveling and wanted to wait until I was home and could focus on Clifton Roscoe's essay. Once again an excellent analysis. So often, as individuals, we know what to do but how to affect change across society is the challenge. I've been screaming since the early 90s the problem is at the family level (specifically the decline in in-tact families) but even in-tact families can abdicate parental responsibilities.
But even so, that doesn't speak to the motivation of the individual expectant mother-to-be. /the cited statistics show that the same demographic can include both a high percentage of fatherless children AND an outlier percentage of ones who perish through abortion.
While none of this is surprising to any of us who have read or watched the news for the past 20 years, it is helpful to see the multiple dimensions of the problem/malaise pulled together comprehensively. Another implicit dimension of the data is the bifurcation of society...see the graph linking educational attainment with Medicaid usage. There is a portion of the nation that is focused on nutrition, obesity, life balance, etc. for kids. This is a modern day version of Michael Harrington's The Other America, though it is on steroids given the erosion of our middle class, radically shifted social norms, and wealth concentration AND SOCIAL MEDIA addiction.
America is increasingly a schizophrenic society saturated with many contradictions and indifference. The symptoms will worsen with the increasing role and alienation of neoliberalism.
https://www.vox.com/2022/6/29/23187002/black-women-abortion-access-roe
"Black women are nearly four times more likely to have an abortion than white women.
Black women make up the largest percentage of all abortions performed and have the highest abortion rate, according to 2019 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most recent year for which the CDC reported this information.
Out of 629,898 abortions reported to the CDC for 2019, Black women accounted for 38.4 percent of them. By comparison, white women made up 33.4 percent of those abortions.
Abortion rates were 3.6 times higher among Black women when compared to white women."
Data has marginal value for understanding the corrosive cultural changes that have transpired since the end of Vietnamese war. There are many strands, but I'll list a few: Gangsta Rap Culture; genesis of snowflake responses to faux problems that have been championed by feminist emotionalism; decline of standards and accountability for so many aspects of life. Acceptance that "legal" is anything you can get away with. Adoption of the value that criminal actions are social justice; victims should never "narc" on perps. Finally, widespread growth of tolerance for illegal drug abuse that is insulated from criticism because it is a 'victimless' crime. Salvation will require more than a thousand marines.
"Cut me slack, Jack."
Fascinating, and sad to see 74% of kids are on free or reduced lunches! I think the way we handled COVID is a strong sign that we prioritize the needs of the older (let’s say baby boomer generation) over the needs of the kids (currently gen Z and polars). I’m sure part of the phenomenon is that the years when to start a family (for women late twenties to early thirties) are the years where income is lowest. According to https://www.cbo.gov/publication/58533, “ The median wealth of older families was greater than that of families under age 50 over the entire 30-year period. Until 2010, the median wealth of the oldest group (age 65 or older) was less than that of the second-oldest group (ages 50 to 64). Since then, the oldest group’s median wealth has been the greatest.” so it sounds like the wealth gains are greatest in the boomers, and the later generations have had less wealth growth. If that is the case, as it seems to be from personal experience, these trends will only continue. Compared with my parents, housing is more expensive, retirement benefits are less generous, raising children is more expensive, and college is far less affordable so student debts will be higher. By the time my children would be old enough to to start families, if these trends continue, I suspect even fewer will be able to afford a comfortable family life - even if they get good jobs and wait until married to have children.
What's interesting is that he never once mentioned the word 'black'. This is one of the few articles about the problems facing *all* kids, not just one group.
Glenn, I'd love to see Mr. Roscoe on your show to discuss some of these issues with John and you. Seems very complex and difficult to tackle most of these issues. Pandora's Box is open.
Appreciate the author's suggestions on how to address the myriad of issues at the individual level. Personally, it feels like a lopsided game with the favor heavily bent to the business/industry side. Business/industry need to be held to higher public health standards if we're going to create conditions for more people (kids and adults) to live healthier lives.
I understand that about 75% of black children are born to single mothers. Before or around 1960, that number was around 10%. The rates for Hispanic is also high and whites are also climbing. Asians remain low.
Was the sexual revolution a catastrophe for the family?
In 2022; I observed (a) A young woman approx 22 years old in the presence of a much older “boyfriend”. She seemed vulnerable, naive and under-educated. (b) A very young man at a bar who was involved with people who were 4 decades older than him. Again, naive and vulnerable. In 2023; I don’t know of any institution that would be able to provide them with guidance on human development.
In 2023; I heard stories about elementary school students being trained to not question and to not challenge information, (indoctrination). School in 2023 provides an experience that is psychological abuse. Competent idea exploration, discourse and intellectual curiosity are skills that would serve young adults who navigate the world beyond home. But, school indoctrination robs children of the opportunity to develop these skills.
Ideally, APA or NIMH guidelines on child development (0-17 yrs) would be the standard that schools would emulate. But, instead are part of the problem; (NIMH website announces minority mental health month, click takes you to page in Spanish.) I suggest DoNoHarm until we reform our federal agencies.
A recent study published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) shows that mental health use in the US by youth surged during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially among girls. This study used data through 2022. Here is a link to the abstract.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2806889
You would not consider my parents tolerant, but would consider them loving. I can remember my mother sitting at the kitchen table every night drilling me on that days school work . Even being in a religious school was consider inadequate. I believe my father never earned more than 10k in any year. Me and my brother were job number one for both my parents, but excuses were not well received.