cans believed the Bible was true. The same poll was repeated in 1992, indicating that less than 32 percent of Americans believe in the Bible (Colson). Before the cultural revolution, truth was taught as the ultimate value. Now, tolerance is taught to replace the sometimes bitter truth. This “cultural revolution” has affected many areas in society that had an effect on the crime rate.For morals to be effectively instilled in a human, it must begin in infancy. Therefore, the family structure is vital in moral development. Morality is learned through socialization and the examples people around them set in their own daily life. Children learn how to make moral judgements in difficult situations from their parents, even if their judgements seem to lack moral intelligence (McIsaac). Many families are not ideal, nor do they set a good example for the children growing up in them. Domestic violence, drug use, drug dealing, or fraudulent behavior observed by the maturing child does not go unnoticed. These decisions are taken “to heart” and remembered when the child is faced with a similar situation. On the other hand, children may push away their families, and the negative example set and turn to gangs. In a gang, they feel they have sufficient support and love. Unfortunately, violent crime and severe criminal behavior of all kinds accompany a gang environment. The lack of morals in a family structure obviously contribute to the high crime rate.The current debate on the influence of television also plays a big part in this moral dilemma. The morally void programming has been proven to influence a child’s behavior and mimic their decisions. When television entertains through “casual cruelty, rampant promiscuity, and mindless soap operas,” children’s minds are filled with thoughts that they may have been previously taught to be wrong. The worst in television may be the talk-shows. Th...
