Letters to Voices : No Excuses for Lack of Values

The comments made by John Dan, Orange County superintendent of schools, and Paul Hurley, associate professor of philosophy at Pomona College, in the Today’s Topic of Aug. 1 prompted me to write. Their contention seems to be that because of the differences between families and the diverse cultural groups that are in our country, society’s hands are tied as far as establishing ethics and values. I disagree.

I can’t think of one successful culture that doesn’t believe that there should be honesty, personal responsibility, fairness under the law and nonviolent problem solving. We forget that the reason that so many immigrants are here is because they fled for societies that didn’t uphold these values. They are seeking a better way of life that these values represent.

In the meantime, why are these values breaking down in America? With so many two-income families, single-parent families and intellectuals who are cautioning us that we might do harm if we stand up for values, our resolve is giving way to helplessness.

Young people are always going to test the limits of the family, of the society. Without those limits they feel insecure, unimportant and without direction.

ANNETTE S. HALLMAN

Glendora