Early Childhood Today put this question to Thomas Lickona, Ph.D. , who specializes in this important area.
Civilizations decline when their moral core deteriorates.
One of our most basic responsibilities as adults is to sustain our civilization by passing on the values that are the foundation of our society. That doesn't happen accidentally or automatically. It happens as a result of great and diligent effort. That's a huge challenge. It requires a society-wide effort to restore the moral fabric.