Book review: "The Turning" seeks to strengthen families

Have you wondered why the world is in turmoil? Why there are so many wars, so much poverty, so much abuse and so many things wrong with society today? Accomplished authors and speakers (and parents of NINE children!) Richard and Linda Eyre explain in their book, "The Turning: Why the State of the Family Matters and What the World Can Do About It," that many of society's problems stem from the most basic unit of society: the family.

While the breakdown of the family is the problem--single parent homes, both parents working and kids home alone or at daycare, neglect and abuse or cohabitation--society, government and other organizations are trying to become the answer to these issues, but are turning more and more away from the family.. 

The Eyres explain that government programs, schools and other entities have tried to make up the difference by creating programs to "help." Sex education is taught in schools. There are government programs in place that appear to assist, but really create a circle of dependency, and ultimately assist in destroying the family. 

However, the Eyres suggest that if families, schools, governments, churches, businesses and other entities focused on bettering the family, the problems would solve themselves. For example:

• Instead of schools taking some of the roles of the parents (like sex ed.), the schools could instead teach parents ways they could teach their own children. Also, parenting classes could be offered.
• Work places could insist on more family time instead of requiring more and more hours away from home and family.
• Work places could also help expectant mothers by giving them enough maternity leave without negative repercussions.
• Churches can help families to learn values to support their family in a positive way.
• Governments could make legislation that is more family-centered.
• Movies, television, music, books and other media could focus more on positive messages and family examples rather than the constant onslaught of sex, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, dysfunctional families or other value-less entertainment. This negative programming causes families--especially children and teens--to think that "everyone is doing it" and if they're not, they must be an outcast or weird when that is simply not true.

"The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only - and that is to support the ultimate career." — C.S. Lewis.

If all parts of society understood C.S. Lewis' quote, they'd understand their role in helping families.

So, what can families do?

The Eyres suggest writing your legislator. Become involved in schools and encourage them to hold more family-centered activities and parent classes. Take a stand when it comes to media. They shared an example of writing a letter to the heads of Disney about sharing more light, rather than darkness in their movies--i.e. good overcoming evil.

Within your own family, the Eyres suggest coming up with a family mission statement, teaching values and bonding with your children to raise them as strong individuals that can, in turn, raise strong families.

To fix society, we must stop treating the symptoms and fight to cure the cause: the family.

"The most important work you ever do will be within the walls of your own home." -- Harold B. Lee

To read the Eyre's book or other family-focused materials/books, visit www.familius.com

Other helpful family-oriented sites from the Eyres:
Teaching your kids values ideas: http://www.valuesparenting.com/
Free books! http://www.eyresfreebooks.com/

© Wendy 2014