Personal Morality

Introduction

I would not have believed you two years ago if you told me an individual’s single decision could have such a profound effect on not only their lives but that of their family, their employer, the economy and even the world. The life we lead and the choices we make affect more than ourselves, as evident with the current economic turmoil we are in today. If a consumer would not have exaggerated their income to qualify for a mortgage they knew they would not be able to afford. If the mortgage lender would have verified the information on the application and if they found inaccuracy they would have rejected the loan instead of looking the other way; would our nation’s economy be in the situation it is today? Personal ethics, values, morals; however you wish to describe them, play a role in every single decision we make; we want others to believe we are a good person, someone that can be trusted. But as we are painfully aware not everyone has a moral compass by which they live. I believe that we are strongly influenced by our environment; I was raised by two loving parents who taught me right from wrong. I was raised Catholic and attended church every week; I was an altar boy and lector for our church; I had a positive relationship with all the clergy members I encountered and believe this too is part of my moral fiber. Although not a practicing Catholic, I do pray every day and believe in God and that we will ultimately be held responsible for our actions. Unfortunately only 63% of American children grow up with both biological parents according to a report conducted by The State of our Unions (2007). A great number of children are being raised by a single parent who themselves were raised by a single parent. I believe that a lack of a two parent household reflects the current moral climate we are in today. I will concede the fact though that just because a child is raised by a single parent does not mean that the child will lack values