Introduction

LESSON 2: The Consequences of Family Breakdown

1. The family is the most important school for our lives.

The family is the school of love (Reverend Moon) and school of peace (Pope John Paul II). Bill Clinton, in his 1996 State of the Union Address, stated: Our first challenge is to cherish our children and strengthen America's family. Families are the foundation of American life. If we have stronger families, we will have a stronger America.
The experiences which shape our fundamental character take place in the family from the moment of birth.
The place where we have our first experiences of human behavior.
- Children learn filial piety as induced by the genuine care of their parents for them, and seeing the behavior of their elder siblings toward their parents.
- Children learn harmonious relations between brothers and sisters by the example of the harmonious love between their father and mother.
- Children learn parental heart by taking care of their younger siblings.
- If they don't see these things, they grow up with scars.
The place in which people and things are valued.
- Children learn their own value through the love they receive.
- Children learn the value of other persons by the way others express love to each other.
- Children learn the value of things through how others treat things in the household.

2. The first school of ethics and morality.

The school of manners and deportment.
- Parents naturally and irrepressibly try to instill moral norms in their children.
- No parent wants their child to be violent, rude or selfish.Parents are proud when their children respect others and earn the respect of others.
Family characteristics are handed down.
- Many clans excel because of the family tradition of education or public service.
- Bad characteristics and habits, such as smoking, alcoholism and mental illness, also run in families.

3. The basic structure of human existence.

Animals form families only to multiply. The bond of kinship is temporary and biologically-based.
Human kinship bonds are permanent elements of our lives.
The family is the first institution of human life.
The family is the universal institution for human existence.
Therefore the family is not created by culture. It is the creator of culture. It is a primary expression of our common human nature. Therefore it is the basis for common values and understanding among people the world over.

4. The family is the model and microcosm of society.

Society is composed of citizens expressing the quality of love learned in their families.
Social relationships follow the pattern of family relationships.
- Male and female.
- Leader and follower.
- Teacher and students.
- Friends and colleagues.
- Organization based upon common purpose with partnership, hierarchy, and division of labor. This is the nature of the family. In an effective family, roles, relationships and responsibilities are clear.

5. The family is intended to operate in accordance with natural law.

The family is a microcosm of the cosmos.
The family has biological, social and spiritual underpinnings.
Family relationships are set basically by natural and spiritual law, not social convention. Therefore their root is not human reason, law or custom. They have another source, and are a part of natural law and principle. This is why social strategies fail to halt the breakdown of families.
Families breakdown when a society's laws or customs are violating the principles of true family life. Human strategies to solve this do not address the moral and ethical issues of human relationships, responsibility and purpose. In fact, the question of family breakdown becomes a new occasion for conflict. Attempted remedies tend to increase the social conflict and confusion, which leads to greater breakdown.

6. We can solve social problems when we establish true family life.

True Family Values is a guide to the principles of true family life, which are based upon universal natural and spiritual law.
True Family Values can help everyone regardless of their religious faith.
True Family Values builds from the individual to the family, community or hometown, society, nation, world and cosmos.