To plug the gap, society is turning to the schools to educate children about marriage and family life. It found some good news. These books describe marriage as a serious, life-long commitment, and portray divorce and single parenting as problematic in various respects. But there's bad news too. In general, the books promote a view of life that may actually undermine students' chances of marital success.
Marriage requires self-denial and constant attention to another's needs and desires.
The problem with this approach to life is obvious. The Institute for American Values reports that the texts it reviewed devote an average of seven pages to marriage. My needs aren't being met. Not surprisingly, today's texts answer life's biggest questions solely in terms of self-interest. You might get a disease or have a baby.