FAMILY AND NATION

by Daniel Patrick Moynihan ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 11, 1986

An important, often brilliant analysis of the causes of the rapid increase of poverty in the nation during the past 20 years and the social disorganization and wrecking of family life that has followed. One in four of US preschool children live in poverty. White children are 27% of our population--but 40% of our poor. Children are the only group over-represented in poverty. America, says Moynihan, is the first nation in history to have more young who are poor than old people who are. The rates of unmarried teen-age pregnancies and suicides are appalling--and continuing to rise. Unless something effective is done quickly, by the end of the century the situation will be intolerable. ""A commonplace of political rhetoric,"" Moynihan writes, ""has it that the quality of a civilization may be measured by how it cares for its aged. Just as surely, the future of a society may be forecast by how it cares for its young."" Moynihan's view of our future is dark--unless we change our ways. He calls for a national family policy to put renewed vigor into the effort to reduce the ravages of poverty. Such a policy would set guidelines for the work and policies of the institutions concerned with the poor: government at all levels, the churches, the foundations and the secular voluntary organizations. The national policy would help to keep these groups from getting in each other's way and, in effect, cancelling out their efforts with contradictory programs as often happens now. Moynihan, a liberal, does not blame the increasing destruction of family life on conservative policies. He says that during the past 20 years there has been plenty of muddle-headedness from both political sides. The book is short, being the transcript of three lectures Moynihan delivered at Harvard in early 1985. The pace, vigor and clarity of his writing make for easy reading and easy understanding of his statistics and arguments. His marshalling of the facts is masterful. Of the lectures, The New York Times editorialized that his analysis and call for action is "". . .an act of intellectual and political leadership. . . Moynihan's message deserves to be heard right and left, far and wide."" Amen.

Pub Date: Feb. 11, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 1986

Categories: NONFICTION