Decline in American and Roman Values

By: Susan Rundell, Victoria Wright, and Sarah Kearns

Roman Family Values

Fathers had rule over the house and had the power of life and death of his children.

As society changed, parental authority decreased and independence of woman and children grew.

Roman Family Traits

It was important for children to have respect for their parents.

But even more important was to have faithfulness, courage, and obeyed rules.

Decline in Family

As the independence of woman and children grew, they could own property and choose their own spouse.

Children didn’t get disciplined as much from fathers.

Sons no longer obeyed their family’s rule.

American Family Values

Thought American history, the father of the family was the head of the house and made important decisions.

Over time, woman and children had more respect.

American Family Traits

Children are expected to be honest and have respect for their parents and to others.

Decline in Family Nearly half of families are

divorced. Children are alone while

parents are working. Randy Maxwell says, “As

much as we want to blame Hollywood, the music industry, or whatever, we have to blame ourselves for allowing our culture--a culture that is drunk on violence…to poison our children. We must protect our own children.”

Citizen Rights of Rome

Citizens were expected to worship the emperor.

Glory was given to them if they did good deeds that could allow them to climb the social ladder.

Serve their client system Have a different

religions

The Roman Client System

High classes set up a client system This was where the lower classes had to

support them.A patron could raise an army with his

clients and could hand out money to those who deserved it.

Romans showed more alliance to their high-class “owners” than to their empire.

Citizen Rights of America

To vote Driving Age Military Service Religion Freedom of Speech

America’s “Client System”

Although the higher classes today do not always look to the lower classes, the lower classes would show more alliance to people or idols that interest them more than the government.

Abuse of Roman Power

Rulers didn’t always do what was politically correct but for themselves. Augustus being called the “Son of a God.” Diocletian having a purple robe with gold

embroidery that citizens to kiss the hem. “Also of course many saw their time abroad as

a marvelous opportunity to enrich themselves off the backs of their helpless subjects. (Roman Life)”

Abuse of Roman Power

After the assassination of Publius Helvius Pertinax, is thrown was auctioned off.

He was killed because he didn’t pay out bonuses to his advisors.

Abuse of American Power

Rod Blagojevich Accused of selling Obama’s seat to the highest

bidder.

Wall Street Executives Handing out bonuses with tax payer money

Roman Education

Education was very important to Romans and was a way to show off wealth.

Rich got a lot of education while poor didn’t receive formal education. Everyone learned to read and right.

Lessons were learned by heart and students and did not question or they would’ve been punished.

American Education

Education is provided by the government. All people are required to attend, but the

richer families go to colleges to get a fuller education.

Students aren’t physically punished for mistakes.

SAT scores have gone down by eighty points in the past thirty years.

Decline in Education

Although the education system of Rome and America is not the same, they have flaws.

American schools are not as strictWhile Roman schools were too strict.

Solutions

Awareness of the education problem. Shift focus away from sports towards more

constructive topics.

Reevaluate the morals that our country was founded on and adapt them to modern America.

Have the leaders set a good example for the people.

Conclusion

America is following the footsteps of the Rome and will soon come to and end if we do not change the path quickly.

Our values of family, citizenship, leadership, discipline, and education are visible flaws to both societies.

Works Cited

Kreye, Eric. Something Wrong Today. Family Values. http://www.ask.com/bar?q=american+family+values&page=1&qsrc=2417&ab=2&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazingjoy.com%2Fhelpdailyliving%2Fhelp19value.htm

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Dupont, Florence. The Roman Family. About.com: Ancient/Classical History. 1994. http://www.ask.com/bar?q=roman+family+values&page=1&qsrc=2417&ab=2&u=http%3A%2F%2Fancienthistory.about.com%2Flibrary%2Fweekly%2Faa081997b.htm

Roman Education. 2000-2009. Mar. 30. 2009. http://www.ask.com/bar?q=roman+education&page=1&qsrc=19&ab=0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.historylearningsite.co.uk%2Froman_education.htm

Bennett, William J. Quantifying America’s Decline. The Wall Street Journal. Monday, March, 15, 1993. Viewed Mar. 26. 2009. <http://www.ask.com/bar?q=Bennett%2C+William+J.+March+15%2C+1993+The+Wall+Street+Journal&page=1&qsrc=2417&ab=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.columbia.edu%2Fcu%2Faugustine%2Farch%2Fusadecline.html>

The Roman Empire. Roman Society, Roman Life. Mar. 25. 2009. http://www.roman-empire.net/society/society.html

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