Please write a response of 200-250 words following APA guidelines. Please use in-text citation/s and create a reference page. I need this post by Thursday no later than 5PM EST.Thanks.
Joshau
The Most Influential Force In Society
Far and away, the most influential force in society, whether that society be today's or a society of the past, is the parent. How we relate to the world around us at the most fundamental level is established at the earliest stages of cognitive development when we are completely dependent upon our parents. According to a study conducted by a number of researchers for the journal Child Development, when children are shown acceptance by their parents and taught that they are intrinsically valuable, they develop a healthy sense of self-worth. When children are shown rejection by their parents and taught that their value is extrinsic, they develop egocentric and insecure personality traits. The most harmful part of this is that when a child feels rejected by their parents, they develop selfish personality traits that will likely lead to their own children feeling a sense of rejection as well (Ausubel, Balthazar, Rosenthal, Blackman, Schpoont, & Welkowitz, 1954).
As Christians, we must recognize two truths associated with this issue if we are to determine to what extent it impacts society negatively or positively:
First off, our society rejects the application of specific religious principles in the public square. This is evidenced by the emphasis on a separation of church and state as a means to remove church from government rather than government from church. Smaller government-sponsored actions, such as the removal of certain nativity scenes at Christmas, the removal of the ten commandments at certain courthouses, and banning of prayer in public schools evidence this as well. The point is not that we are rejecting Christianity, but we are rejecting the Christian principles that established norms and standards. Since our society rejects the public application of religious principles, there are few remaining stigmatized actions. This lack of propriety, combined with the dangerous, repetitive nature of early-childhood parental rejection, lead to the formation of an extraordinarily selfish society.
The second truth is that Christ is capable of changing individuals who are rejected by their parents. As Christians, we are called to not only share the gospel, but make disciples (Matthew 28:19). We are to guide younger Christians in their faith, and through our Christ-centered guidance and the Holy Spirit's intervention, people are changed in not only how they view the world but how they relate to it as well.
Understanding the selfish trends of society, we may assume that society is heading in a negative direction, but that argument could be made with regard to any point in history. Instead, as Christians, we should approach this with a knowledge of the positive. We have been given a unique purpose. With the Holy Spirit as a helper and the gift of salvation to share, we can genuinely change lives.
In an even more direct sense, we can influence our children by being loving parents and raising them to not only serve as unselfish members of society, but Christians who serve to change society as well. That is a positive legacy that will repeat as well.
References:
Ausubel, D., Balthazar, E., Rosenthal, I., Blackman, L., Schpoont, S., & Welkowitz, J. (1954). Child Development, 25(3). Retrieved Monday April 14, 2008 from: http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=8541423&site=ehost-live