AT THE ROOTS OF VIOLENCE - THE PROGRESSIVE DECLINE AND DISSOLUTION OFTHE FAMILY

The authors reflect on the origin of the family and its traditional dy namic force in the social and moral education, and in the affective su pport and protection of its members. They expound on their thesis that since the institution of the family is progressively crumbling under the pressures of ever changing socioeconomic events, people feel more insecure and frustrated. It is their belief that the present day famil y often does not pass on to its members those traditional high moral v alues of honesty and responsibility so important for good citizenship and self-esteem, and that the above, compounded by unemployment and th e widespread presence of psychoactive drugs in our streets, may be a b asic factor in the upsurge of violence and criminal behavior in our ho mes and our cities. Sociological and psychological thoughts are offere d in support of their theories on the importance of the family as a ge rm-cell of society. Even though violence in the streets is multifactor ial and the too easy availability of guns and the drug culture are cer tainly important factors, the authors believe that the progressive dis integration of the family and its value deficit are basic to the probl em of disruptive violence in our streets. They envision a modern funct ional family whose members uphold personal responsibility together wit h cultural religious, and moral values. They believe that their adhere nce to the above values would enable them to be better motivated and d isciplined for good citizenship. Crime would then be fought at its roo ts.