I went to a workshop a few weeks ago sponsored by Family Literacy of Pennsylvania, which is a state-funded organization.

They are affiliated with other public service organizations, whose funding comes from private sources, local government, state government and the feds.

One of the focuses of the workshop, along with teaching parents how to teach and discipline their children effectively, and encouraging higher education among parents (this would be a high school diploma in many cases), is nutritional awareness. How much does it cost to buy fast food vs. cooking? What can you prepare at home that's fast, easy and cheap, and is still tasty, yet high in nutrition? What are the benefits?

Present it as a good thing -- cheaper, easier, tastier and healthier -- and then show people how to do it, and they will turn that corner, eventually. It takes application, though.

You'd be surprised what the underlying effects of our mobile society have been. The big crisis in families hasn't been the collapse of the nuclear family, but the disintegration of the extended family, without which the nuclear family just imploded from the pressures put on it. Who taught people how to cook? Who looked after the kids in an emergency, or even on a regular basis, for free, if both parents had to work? Who acted as safe haven, counsellors, and teachers? Who talked to Mr. Smith about Joey, a good boy who just happened to be laid off, to get him an "in" for another job? Who drove you to the doctor, and nagged you until you went? Who came over with a hot casserole for Uncle Harry after his hernia surgery, or for the sleep-deprived parents of the new baby? This has been part of the extended family's function, and we have lost it now.

And then I hear the moaning over how much social services spending has increased... It's because someone has to step in and fill these holes, especially for people who can't afford nannies and don't have psychological counselling covered in what medical plan they might have.

Well, maybe you wouldn't be that surprised...

Regards--
Mary Anne