To: Lane3 who wrote (5206 ) 1/7/2017 6:32:53 PM From: one_less Respond to of 367481 >>> It seems to me that that sense of duty has eroded, along with the cultural norms that support it. Again, this observation applies generally, across our society. But taking the specific case of the working class, its implications are important: Significantly strengthening the cultural norms that if you can work, you should be working, even if the only job you can find pays a mere 65 percent of what you made in your last job; that if you can work, you should be working, even if you have to move a few states away for a good job; that if you can work, you should be providing for your kids; that you have an obligation to contribute and to add your skills and talent and effort to the fabric of your community — a strong recovery of these basic cultural norms would go a long way toward helping the working class lead full and flourishing lives. How? It used to be the case that an able-bodied man who wasn’t working would feel much more social stigma than he does today. And stigma can push men on the margin into jobs. Once employed, it is much easier for those men to meet their obligations and fulfill their duties: to be good fathers to their children, to be good members of their communities, to put down the video game and not to use drugs. A virtuous cycle is created, in which adherence to duty, self-mastery and proper choices in each aspect of life reinforces duty, self-mastery and proper choices in the others. And the ensuing benefits to children and community are obvious .<<< I remember and lived under that social stigma. Every man suffered to some extent at their failure to rise to the cream jobs. I can't help but notice the article being male centric. Old guys like me might still be influenced by that stigma. When the discussion turns to men striving to improve their lot (as a characteristic of manhood), another counter perspective often surfaces which refers to something 'called the war on women.' Modern men do not want to be caught participating in the new stigmatizing role. Culture has changed and especially among the young there is much less sense of obligation. Should we be that surprised?