In 1947, fifty years ago, the imminent Harvard sociologist and historian, Karle Zimmerman, wrote a book entitled, Family and Civilization, in which he compared the disintegration of various cultures as the family life declined in those cultures. He discovered eight specific patterns of domestic behavior that signaled the downward spiral of each culture.

• Marriage loses its sacredness...is frequently broken by divorce.
• Traditional meaning of the marriage ceremony is lost.
• Feminist movements abound.
• Increased public disrespect for parents and authority in general.
• Acceleration of juvenile delinquency, promiscuity, and rebellion.
• Refusal of people with traditional marriages to accept family responsibilities.
• Growing desire for, and acceptance of, adultery.
• Increasing interest in, and…