Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: THURSDAY, May 3, 1990 TAG: 9005030527 SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A14 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The second article concerned adultery: how prevalent it has become in our society, that most states have laws against it yet the law is rarely enforced. The rationalization is that private sexual conduct among heterosexuals is protected from state prescription. The article said some studies estimate between 30 and 70 percent of married people have engaged in extramarital sex.
We seem to forget why rules, laws and the Ten Commandments were written - not to keep us from enjoying life, but for our protection. The commandment against adultery protects the family unit. State laws were written for the same purpose.
Family units are breaking up partly because we choose not to obey the law. We have an alarming teen-age pregnancy rate. Other problems associated with the breakdown of the family are increased drug abuse, increased delinquency among juveniles, and a high drop-out rate in education.
Our society has come to view rules as restricting and an infringement on our individual freedom. Fine, take away "the strict rules of behavior" on college campuses, but don't whine about college life deteriorating because of social problems. If adults want to pick and choose laws to obey, fine; but they shouldn't complain when our youth do the same.
\ PAT WITTEN\ ROANOKE
by CNB