Self-discipline.

[bestseller92]

I believe firmly that self-discipline, or the lack thereof, is the root of most all of the problems we have in society today.

Teen pregnancy, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, crime, bad debts, etc. could all be avoided if the average American would practice self discipline, instead of portraying themselves as victims and looking to place the blame for their own problems and failings on others.

It is also my opinion that self discipline is seldom practiced today because in our society it is seldom demanded. People, especially the young, usually live up or down to the expectations placed upon them.

In the end it comes down to controlling your instincts and urges or letting them control you.

Just my thoughts. What are yours?

[phjrsaunt]

My thoughts are pretty much along the same lines as yours.

[tikitatas]

I believe I'd lean more toward accountability.

[SMLCHNG]

I believe I'd lean more toward accountability.

I'll lean with you, Cate.

[bestseller92]

Accountability is the demand for self discipline.

[creeky]

I got none - I will admit it

[tikitatas]

Accountability is the demand for self discipline.

No. SELF discipline presupposes a sense of ethical responsibility for one's actions.

Discipline must be taught. You mention blame in your initial post. If no consequences for actions, positive or negative, are given from someone else, then in disciplining one's self, what consequences can then be seen to be demanded for behaving a certain way?

Self-discipline cannot apply to many who have never been disciplined/taught in the first place. If no discipline has been put in place externally, then more base desires will be given into. Self-discipline is not a synonym for self control. Self-discipline requires using reason to determine a best course of action that opposes one's desires.

These are my thoughts.

[Spider Johnson]

I feel it is the total lack of discipline. Parents (for the most part) aren't teaching/instilling discipline, or being allowed to teach/instill it, or are depending on others to do so, for whatever reason.

For the parents that do and manage to successfully do so. Thank you and many cudos!
There are many good kids and successful parents out there that one never hears about.

[Lightning Bolt]

While I could agree with the ideal that you set forth, and the effort to place all responsibility/blame on the parents,
the notion that some possess self-discipline while others simply do not, is over-simplistic, ...and just pie in the sky.
Finger pointing is useless, as this "dilemma" exists in each society on this good earth.

Everyone possesses some form of it, and everyone lacks some form of it.

The sooner that hypothesis is accepted, like it or not, for the better and the worse...
the sooner...and further... we will advance as a society in whole.