Show consequences of bad behavior

Socrates warned that as the behavioral norms of a society become lax, it becomes increasingly difficult for its youth to distinguish good from evil; the child being largely unaware that behaviors promising immediate pleasure can quickly morph into pain.

If, then, as reported, too many of us are dabbling in drugs, pornography, and promiscuity, perhaps the occasional (and one suspects, too infrequent) "thou shalt not" approach, should be augmented with a more pointed message. For example, were our children more frequently exposed to videos featuring the screams of the drug addict undergoing withdrawal, their enthusiasm for rebellious experimentation might be curbed. And while the topic of sexual-self-control presents its own unique complexities, even the hormone plagued teenager can grasp the idea that he or she does not wish to be featured as the six-o'clock news sexual predator of the day.

It is only too easy for any of us to make a behavioral mistake. However it is also obvious that our society is failing in its responsibility to address these problems forcefully and adequately.

Frank Gardiner

Provo