At some point over the past generation, people around the world entered what you might call the age of possibility. They became intolerant of any arrangement that might close off their personal options.

The transformation has been liberating, and it’s leading to some pretty astounding changes. For example, for centuries, most human societies forcefully guided people into two-parent families. Today that sort of family is increasingly seen as just one option among many....

My view is that the age of possibility is based on a misconception. People are not better off when they are given maximum personal freedom to do what they want. They’re better off when they are enshrouded in commitments that transcend personal choice — commitments to family, God, craft and country.

The surest way people bind themselves is through the family....

Read it all.

Filed under: * Culture-Watch • Children • Globalization • Marriage & Family • Psychology • Religion & Culture • Science & Technology • Sociology • * Economics, Politics • Economy • Consumer/consumer spending

1. Terry Tee wrote: I am puzzled.  The writer seems to say at one point that fleeing commitments is not the wayto fulfilment, but then in the concluding sentence seems to row back and say that current cultural trends are simply another way of connecting. November 20, 7:58 am | [comment link]

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