Very big subject weebles.  My parents and grandparents, who lived thru the great depression, left me with an indelible idea of what being hungry was like.  So, I don't take food, or my home or car or job or husband for granted.  Even now, over 60 years old, I feel it necessary to put in a good days work.  I'm not sure I see much of this attitude in the 20 to 25 year old generation.

My generation would never have worn clothing that shows a fat stomach hanging over our belt.  Or our butt or boobs on display at work - or on a Saturday night date for that matter.  We felt good to have the kind of job that required a suit.  And we worked like crazy to get an education good enough to get us that good job.  And, I've learned to keep up my own with any sailor, but ----- grama, the grocery clerk or some stranger at BlockBuster would not (and still does not) hear me swearing and generally behaving like an idiot.  That stuff is saved for loved ones (teehee).

My husband and I worked awful hard to get our first home and then furnish it.  But the thought now, of having to shop for another sofa or comfy chair - I'd just rather not.  So materialism went bye, bye so many years ago I couldn't tell you when.

How my values differ from the current youth, I'm not exactly sure.  Other than the examples I've given above.  When I was a teenager, my parents embarrassed me so I stopped  going to the store with my mom.  What I wouldn't do, is scream obscenities at her in the store parking lot.  But how can I blame the 16 year old I saw doing just this when I see his mama in a getup stolen from a striper.  I think I just don't get it.  And the list of things I just don't get is getting longer as I write. 

I'm proud of my generation who feels a national pride (even when we disagree with any administration), took us to the moon and back, created millions of jobs, overcame segregation (almost) and had a moral compass that kept millions of abortions unnecessary -

I love my friends and family - my grand daughter is a prize given to me from the great beyond -  and my precious, beloved daughter and her husband.  My health is important - old people always say that. 

I continue to love my husband - even after all these many years he wants to hold my hand and kiss me all over .... fabulous!  I love the sunrise and sunset.  I love a good, surprised, laugh out loud.  I love the first sips of a really good wine - and finishing the bottle with someone who feels the same (husband).  Isn't a lively conversation just great?  And a good nights sleep .... precious.

And don't you love it when your hair looks great when you didn't hardly work at it?  Yeah, my values have changed.  Mostly because I'm no longer young and time is a limited commodity.  

Very good blog Weebles, and good comments too Lori.  I too used to value material things more than I do now.  I'm still and technology freak, but it's for fun, not because I think my life depends on it.  And my health is DEFINITELY important, even though I don't consider myself 'old', (I'm 42).  Along those lines I'm trying to live more simply, by appreciating nature (even more than usual) and taking extra time with friends and family.  I value working up a good sweat in the yard, or on a trail.  I value looking up at the stars at night, or a nice moon too.  And of course, I value my wife tremendously.  She works hard at work, and at home, and treats me like a king!  She is one of a kind!

The values of our society are so skewed....take for instance the case of Brooke Ryan, the nursing mother in Applebees. There is currently an article at topix.com (it's been one of the most popular articles across the nation with over 1600 comments.) I originally found the post here. There are some other good resources you don't get in mainstream media also.

But you should read some of the comments about the mother in applebees...people are saying they don't want children in the restaurants with them while they eat. And they aren't just talking about nursing babies...they are talking about children.

The only way we can really change this is to make sure our own values aren't self-focused and teach our children the same. This is where we have the biggest impact is in our own mission field at home. That then leads us to why mothers should stay home with their children if at all possible. Because attaining the monetary success isn't as important as raising our children.

I admit that being still young (24) I do value monetary gain more than I should.  I don't need the latest gadgets or the fashionable clothes but I would love a nicely-decorated house and higher quality possessions.  For me, the memory of living off rice as a child and living off ramen in college has made me value the necessities greatly.  I am glad that I came from a large family that struggled to get by, because it has kept me well in check with reality.  As it is now, my husband and I deeply believe that one parent should be at home with the children, so we put off any hope of having a lot of money.  I sure feel grateful for what I have when we're happy to be able to pay our mortgage.  And, coming from that large family, I can't help but value family relationships- because, like it or not, I'm stuck with them (and consequently, they're stuck with me).   :)

Though I grew up in a family that highly valued education (all my siblings have at least a Bachelor's degree), I actually don't value traditional education as highly as I should.  I realized that some people, myself and my husband included, are not well-suited to that form of education or the career prospects it brings.  Rather, we value working with our hands, doing physical labor, and being in a natural environment.  Any career that puts us in a suit would be pure torture, even if it did pay twice as much.

I think seeing what society values makes me dig my heels deeper into more traditional values.  I'm disgusted by celebrity obsession, the high value placed on sex and materialism, and the fact that there has been a reversal of the negative status of certain cardinal sins like greed, lust, and gluttony.

Hummm, I value my children's health and education, my health, my husband,  family, friends, relationships old and new, my faith, and the ability to laugh at myself. I look forward to owning my own home one day , but if I never own a new car that wouldn't bug me to much...as long as it gets me where I want to go. Nice things are overrated IMO when you have small children. lol The way I see it I have nothing that I couldn't live without except my husband and kids and no one can take that away from me. All in all other than the things I've added after becoming a wife and mother I think my values are pretty much the same!

Awsmom8- I am sorry to hear about your loss.

From the sound of things your kids have been very blessed with your presence. You seem like a strong woman and very dedicated mother.....your children are lucky to have you! :)

Ditto on family being the most important. I have to add peace of mind is definitely up there too. You can have everything in the world you have ever wanted, but when you achieve that goal, you begin the realize that all those "things" are not what you thought, and that having inner peace within yourself is invaluable. That's what I strive for now.  Being a working Mom, I am constantly struggling with balancing the needs of my family, my husband, maintaining a home, and being a better Mom.