Spirituality and the American Family
Spirituality and the American Family
Standing hairbrush in hand at the bathroom mirror, an overwhelming feeling of dj-vu overcame me. "Abigail, Lexi, we need to get your hair done so we are not late for Sunday School." They came running down the hall, in part due to the urgency in my voice as well as the anticipated pleasure they found in attending each week. While working the first child's tangles out I glanced up at the mirror. It was not my own image which was reflected but rather the handsome memory of my own father's which his sharp suit and tie brought forth. The ritual I was repeating, he had diligently performed countless Sunday mornings on the procession of three boys, of which I was the middle son. I finished with my eldest daughter and began with the younger only to realize that the task at hand was a part of an age-old process. This was, imparting our family's beliefs from one generation to the next in like manner as my own father had done. Although varied by changing times, belief systems and dynamics, the role of instilling spirituality to its children is best performed by the family unit. But is this method of conveyance, teaching and cultivating these tenants the most effective?
I would assert, and I believe most social historians would agree, that yes, the family is best suited for and most effective at achieving the desired results. This is not by way of one isolated incident such as the one I have described, but rather a consistent effort of example and teaching from parent to child. For example, in our home growing up we learned our family's belief system, yes, from clergy and teachers at the religious school we attended, but not primarily. Our parents had to first choose to sacrifice to enroll us in private school, at great cost. Also, they had to choose to bring us to our house of worship each week. But I think the most influential element employed was the life example each of our parents relayed to us daily. This was to conduct one's self in a manner that was consistent with Judeo-Christian beliefs and ultimately visible to us as children for the benefit of our instruction. But there are some that disagree with my assertion that it takes a family to achieve these goals. One First Lady even went so far as to propose that, "It takes a village to raise a child."
The date was August 27th 1996 and the Democratic National Convention was in full swing. Whether for self promotion of her book, "It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us" or for the support of her husband's presidential aspirations, Hillary Clinton downplayed the family's importance in this regard. This future Senator did credit the parents role by stating, ever so briefly, that they were in fact, "...their child's first teachers." She followed in the close of her speech with what I think is her true opinion. She claimed that it takes a nation and ultimately a president, and shockingly, she stated that, "It takes Bill Clinton." Depending on what side of the political spectrum one aligns him or herself with; opinions vary as to the role the American family plays in imparting spirituality to succeeding generations.
I did not see Bill or Hillary Clinton or any other member of "the village" beside my father those Sunday mornings readying us for services. I am at a loss to say that they were present at the family dinner table following evening meals in our family devotional time. I know that for me, actions speak louder than political rhetoric. Their voting record is clear. Mrs. Clinton's idea of school choice: choice in public schools but not private, in no way assisted my family by offsetting the great cost they incurred by choosing religious instruction by way of private schools. As parents faced with many challenges in this day and age, let us engage our rightful place as our children's spiritual instructors lest this task is left to the so-called "village". One that is long on opinion but lacking when it comes to providing tangible assistance towards this aim. I think the Biblical passage referring to this issue is spot on when it says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Works Cited
Clinton, Hillary. "Remarks made by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago." happinesonline.org. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, 27 August 1996. Web. 2 June 2010.
Clinton, Hillary. "Hillary Clinton on School Choice." ontheissues.org. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, 11 October 2006. Web 2 June 2010.
Authorship attributed to Solomon. The Bible. New International Version : Proverbs 22:6.
Standing hairbrush in hand at the bathroom mirror, an overwhelming feeling of dj-vu overcame me. "Abigail, Lexi, we need to get your hair done so we are not late for Sunday School." They came running down the hall, in part due to the urgency in my voice as well as the anticipated pleasure they found in attending each week. While working the first child's tangles out I glanced up at the mirror. It was not my own image which was reflected but rather the handsome memory of my own father's which his sharp suit and tie brought forth. The ritual I was repeating, he had diligently performed countless Sunday mornings on the procession of three boys, of which I was the middle son. I finished with my eldest daughter and began with the younger only to realize that the task at hand was a part of an age-old process. This was, imparting our family's beliefs from one generation to the next in like manner as my own father had done. Although varied by changing times, belief systems and dynamics, the role of instilling spirituality to its children is best performed by the family unit. But is this method of conveyance, teaching and cultivating these tenants the most effective?
I would assert, and I believe most social historians would agree, that yes, the family is best suited for and most effective at achieving the desired results. This is not by way of one isolated incident such as the one I have described, but rather a consistent effort of example and teaching from parent to child. For example, in our home growing up we learned our family's belief system, yes, from clergy and teachers at the religious school we attended, but not primarily. Our parents had to first choose to sacrifice to enroll us in private school, at great cost. Also, they had to choose to bring us to our house of worship each week. But I think the most influential element employed was the life example each of our parents relayed to us daily. This was to conduct one's self in a manner that was consistent with Judeo-Christian beliefs and ultimately visible to us as children for the benefit of our instruction. But there are some that disagree with my assertion that it takes a family to achieve these goals. One First Lady even went so far as to propose that, "It takes a village to raise a child."
The date was August 27th 1996 and the Democratic National Convention was in full swing. Whether for self promotion of her book, "It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us" or for the support of her husband's presidential aspirations, Hillary Clinton downplayed the family's importance in this regard. This future Senator did credit the parents role by stating, ever so briefly, that they were in fact, "...their child's first teachers." She followed in the close of her speech with what I think is her true opinion. She claimed that it takes a nation and ultimately a president, and shockingly, she stated that, "It takes Bill Clinton." Depending on what side of the political spectrum one aligns him or herself with; opinions vary as to the role the American family plays in imparting spirituality to succeeding generations.
I did not see Bill or Hillary Clinton or any other member of "the village" beside my father those Sunday mornings readying us for services. I am at a loss to say that they were present at the family dinner table following evening meals in our family devotional time. I know that for me, actions speak louder than political rhetoric. Their voting record is clear. Mrs. Clinton's idea of school choice: choice in public schools but not private, in no way assisted my family by offsetting the great cost they incurred by choosing religious instruction by way of private schools. As parents faced with many challenges in this day and age, let us engage our rightful place as our children's spiritual instructors lest this task is left to the so-called "village". One that is long on opinion but lacking when it comes to providing tangible assistance towards this aim. I think the Biblical passage referring to this issue is spot on when it says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Works Cited
Clinton, Hillary. "Remarks made by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago." happinesonline.org. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, 27 August 1996. Web. 2 June 2010.
Clinton, Hillary. "Hillary Clinton on School Choice." ontheissues.org. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, 11 October 2006. Web 2 June 2010.
Authorship attributed to Solomon. The Bible. New International Version : Proverbs 22:6.