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Personal from
Alarming Rise in Divorce
Poses
Major Threat
fo
U. S.
and Wesfern
World
T
HE ALARMINO
rise in the di–
vorce rate is now a major
threat to the continued exis–
tence of the United States and other
Western natíons. The tragic break–
clown in family life is inscribing the
handwriting on the wall of our na–
tions.
Just how important is marriage
and family life? Sorne psychiatrists
are now saying that the marriage
system is on the way out. Will mar–
riage totally disappear during cen–
tury 21?
How- when - did the institution
of marriage first start?
If man is mere!y the highes t of the
animal kingdom, when. in the evo–
lutionary development from sorne
ape-like animal into man, did the
marriage ínstitution start? Animals
do not marry, though sorne species
mate. But marriage and family Jife
are peculiar to the human race.
Look at the present situation. In
the twelve months endíng February
1973, increase in divorces in the
United States was 8.7 percent over
the preceding twelve months. For
every 100 marriages. there now are
31 divorces. Divorce is atan all-tíme
lügh. At the present rate of íncrease.
it soon will have invaded every third
home in the United States. In sorne
arcas ít already has!
In a healthy and happy society,
education must begin in the home!
It must put major emphasis on the
necessity for family life. Yet in our
PLAIN TRUTH November 1973
Western world - particularly in
Britain and America - the family
system is breakiog down. Few par–
ents have themselves been taught
how to start education in the home.
Few have adequate knowledge or
abilíty to teach their below-school–
age children.
The most tragícally serious need
in
educatíon today is ín-the-home
education on the basic importance
of the happy family structure in our
society.
Minority group studies made in
the United States throw significan!
light on the vital importance of a
tight family structure in any society.
Although the specific conditions
analyzed in these studies are pecu–
liar to the United States - not
Britain, continental Europe or else–
where - they show emphatically
that a happy family life is the very
foundation of a stable society in any
country.
The studies involve four minority
groups in the United States. All four
have suffered discrimination and
prejudice. Three of these groups
have attained status and, in general.
have emerged from the former dis–
crimination. These are the Ameri–
can-born Japanese and Chínese.
and the Jews. With the Japanese
and Clünese there was also the color
barrier.
These three groups gained status
and recognition, not by poüce and
military enforcement of laws. not by
marches, demonstrations, threats
and violence. but by self-improve–
ment and achievement. In the
United States, status is attaíned
through the educational and occu–
pational structure.
But the studies show that much, if
not most. of the foundation for this
achievement is a strong family sys–
tem. These three groups generally
marry within their own ethnic
groups and maintain a tight family
relationship. In all three groups,
there is also family thrift - with the
parents willing to make great sacri–
fices for the education and advance–
ment of the next generation. The
very hallmark of Jewish life is the
close family relationship. Parents
take great pride in every evidence of
advancement, superiority and ac–
complishment by their cbildren.
Compare these three minority
groups with the white American
majority, where the divorce rate is
taking an a larming rise, and fam–
ilies increasingly are falling apart.
Astonishing Fa cts
The 1960 census showed sorne
significant facts. More than half the
children ofAmerican-boro Japanese
and Chinese families. between the
ages of 18 and 24. were college edu–
cated. A B'nai B'rith study shows
that more than 70% of the children
of Jewish families in these ages were
in a college or university. Yet,
(Continued on page 30)