American Ethics

William J. Bennett once wrote, “My friend had observed that while the world still regards the United States as the leading economic and military power on earth, this same world no longer beholds us with the moral respect it once did, as a “shinning city on a hill” Instead, it sees a society in decline.” This statement is very true of America’s ethics today. The problems with ethics in America are the medias influence on the population, religious influences on the population, and the way we society influences the way we raise our children.

The first main contribution to what is wrong with America’s ethics is the medias influence on the population as a whole. In “What Really Ails America” William J. Bennett writes, “Last year, Snoop Doggy Dog, indicted for murder, saw his rap album “Doggystyle,” which celebrates marijuana use and the degradation of women, debut at No.1 on the pop charts.”(343). In a society where children worship movie stars, signers, and sport stars, how can we let this happen. The children who listen to this music are being brainwashed by explicated lyrics and vulgar language. Parents should make it a point to proof any books, music, or movies that their children are buying to censor the unpleasant happenings in them. We cannot let our children learn of life through these stars because only the family knows of true family values. Again in the same essay

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Bennett States. “In one recent two-week period, these shows featured cross dressing couples, a three-way love affair, a man who fools women into thinking he is using a condom during sex, and prostitutes who love their job. These shows present a two-edged problem: people want to expose themselves, and other people want to watch.”(343). The media will go the extra mile to make a buck. They have no regard for who is watching. The show “Jerry Springer” is a great example of these shows, which expose people lives to others. These kinds of shows are played at times when our children are still awake, meaning they are able to view them. The children of America should be watching shows that exhibit learning and fun themes. By watching the shows Bennett talks about put images and ideologies in children’s heads that the actions on television are good. Children have the mindset to idolize people they see on television, so why let your children watch prostitutes when they could be watching Big Bird on Sesame Street.