The American paradox : spiritual hunger in an age of plenty

For Americans entering the twenty-first century, it is the best of times and the worst of times. Material wealth is at record levels, yet disturbing social problems reflect a deep spiritual poverty. In this compelling book, well-known social psychologist David G. Myers asks how this paradox has come to be and, more important, how we can spark social renewal and dream a new American dream. Myers explores the research on social ills from the 1960's through the 1990's and concludes that the materialism and radical individualism of this period have cost us dearly, imperiling our children, corroding general civility, and diminishing our happiness. However, in the voices of public figures and ordinary citizens he now hears a spirit of optimism. The national dialogue is shifting-away from the expansion of personal rights and toward enhancement of communal civility, away from efforts to raise self-esteem and toward attempts to arouse social responsibility, away from "whose values?" and toward "our values." Myers analyzes in detail the research on educational and other programs that deal with social problems, explaining which seem to work and why. He then offers positive and well-reasoned advice, suggesting that a renewed social ecology for America will rest on policies that balance "me thinking" with "we thinking." For Americans entering the twenty-first century, it is the best of times and the worst of times. Material wealth is at record levels, yet disturbing social problems reflect a deep spiritual poverty. In this compelling book, well-known social psychologist David G. Myers asks how this paradox has come to be and, more importantly, how to spark social renewal and dream a new American dream. Myers explores the research on social ills from the 1960s through the 1990s and concludes that the materialism and radical individualism of this period have cost us dearly, imperiling our children, corroding general civility, and diminishing our happiness. However, in the voices of public figures and ordinary citizens he now hears a spirit of optimism. The national dialogue is shifting away from the expansion of personal rights and towards enhancement of communal civility, away from efforts to raise self-esteem and towards attempts to arouse social responsibility, away from "whose values?" and towards "our values". Myers analyses in detail the research on educational and other programmes that deal with social problems, explaining which seem to work and why. He then offers positive and well-reasoned advice, suggesting that a renewed social ecology for America will rest on policies that balance "me thinking" with "we thinking." "Material wealth is at record levels, yet disturbing social problems reflect a deep spiritual poverty. In this book, social psychologist David G. Myers asks how this paradox has come to be and how we can spark social renewal and dream a new American dream.". "Myers explores the research on social ills from the 1960s through the 1990s and concludes that the materialism and radical individualism of this period have cost us dearly, imperiling our children, corroding general civility, and diminishing our happiness. However, in the voices of public figures and ordinary citizens he now hears a spirit of optimism. The national dialogue is shifting - away from the expansion of personal rights and toward enhancement of communal civility, away from efforts to raise self-esteem and toward attempts to arouse social responsibility, away from "whose values?" and towards "our values."". "Myers analyzes in detail the research on educational and other programs that deal with social problems, explaining which seem to work and why. He then offers advice, suggesting that a renewed social ecology for America will rest on policies that balance "me thinking" with "we thinking.""--BOOK JACKET.

in This Compelling Book, Well-known Social Psychologist David G. Myers Asks Why In An Era Of Great Material Wealth America Suffers From Such A Disturbing Array Of Social Problems And A Deep Spiritual Poverty. Examining The Research On Social Ills From The 1960s Through 1990s, Myers Concludes That Materialism And Radical Individualism Have Cost Us Dearly. He Offers Positive, Well-reasoned Advice On How To Spark Social Renewal And Dream A New American Dream.

david G. Myers Is John Dirk Werkman Professory Of Psychology At Hope College. His Research And Writings Have Appeared In Five Dozen Periodicals, From Science To Scientific American, And His Textbooks For Introductory And Social Psychology Are Studied At Nearly One Thousand Colleges And Universities.

choice

a Call To Action, An Exhortation To Hope, This Book Is Clearly Required Reading For The Concerned Citizen.

Contents 8 Foreword by Martin E. Marty 10 Preface 12 1. The Best of Times, the Worst of Times 18 2. The Sexual Swing 30 3. The Past and Future of Marriage 53 4. America’s Children 77 5. Violence 115 6. Money and Misery 143 7. Individualism and Community 178 8. Media, Minds, and the Public Good 212 9. Educating for a Moral Compass 252 10. Faith and Society 274 Epilogue 309 Notes 314 Index 418 Yale,University,Press

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In this compelling book, a well-known social psychologist asks why, in an era of great material wealth, America suffers from such a disturbing array of social problems that reflect a deep spiritual poverty. Illustrations. David G. Myers, Foreword By Martin E. Marty. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.