In January 2004, the Claremont Institute published an important piece on boys in America today. Called “Wimps & Barbarians: The Sons of Murphy Brown,” the piece explored the two basic pitfalls, two extremes young men fall into. Later that year, a companion piece, also by Terrance O. Moore, was published on the effects this is having on young women. Here is an excerpt from the piece, “Heather’s Compromise.”
Many young women today look upon the world of dating with anxiety, hopelessness, disappointment—even dread. They express disappointment with young men’s stubborn immaturity, with their own slim chances of finding love, and with the sad fact that whereas in the past, everyone expected women not to have sex before marriage, nowadays everyone, especially their boyfriends, expects that they will. And though they often don’t say so directly, many young women are disappointed by their parents’ advice or, more often, complete lack of it.
Young women have, of course, adjusted to the world around them. In the vernacular, they aren’t looking for Mr. Right but for Mr. Right Now. But looking for Mr. Right Now has taken an enormous toll on their lives and emotions. The decision to look, or settle, for Mr. Right Now might be described as Heather’s Compromise. Heather, today’s young woman, is tempted continually to compromise her ultimate happiness for the momentary attention of an undependable young male on his terms.
Read the rest here. For any parent, these pieces are a must-read.
For better and worse, I’m always trying to read the subtle messages movies send, especially to children. Here’s a great line from a movie I’ve never seen called The Last Days of Disco, criticizing Lady and the Tramp: