Valorile familiei, incotro?

In ultima perioada presa, predominant libertina, varsa randuri de

cerneala referitor la notiunea de "valori de familie". In loc sa
respecte casatoria si relatiile sanatoase de lunga durata, care
unesc, sprijina si incurajeaza, motivand astfel doi oameni, massmedia fac din aceasta institutie un obiect al dispretului si o
condamna ca fiind exploatarea si dominarea femeilor de catre
barbati.
Ca o otrava in stil victorian, placeriile sexuale au intrat in cotidian
generand practic o tendinta spre poligamie. Astfel, in mod
inevitabil, pierderea respectului pentru obligatiile familiale a dus la
aparitia unei societati egocentrice, care se chinuie sa dea poate
un alt sens vietii per ansamblu.
Nu asistam la o promovare a libertatii, ci putem observa mai mult
tristete, singuratate, confuzie, familii destramate, vedem de fapt
toate imperfectiunile unei societati in continua degradare morala.
Astfel, multi au inceput sa perceapa valorile familiei ca fiind
limitate doar la sex, casnicie si copii.
Revolutia sexuala
Asistam in ultima perioada, de fapt, la o noua revolutie sexuala, in
cautarea placerii personale, de fapt un sex fara menajamente si la
varste fragede, o promiscuitate lipsita de ratiune si acte sexuale
fara conceptie.
Sexul a devenit un fel de sport, atat pentru barbati cat si pentru
femei. Daca, alta data, o sarcina insemna asumarea unor
responsabilitati, astazi, in genere, barbatii merg mai departe cu
inima impacata si usoara, iar femeile raman doar cu libertatea de
a face avort sau de a-si creste singure copilul.
Lasand la o parte bolile venerice, avorturile si nefericitii copii
nelegitimi, acei copii nedoriti, cred ca asistam in cele din urma la
"sexul fara context".

Casnicia
Casnicia este deja perceputa de foarte multi tineri si nu numai
doar ca si o promisiune fragila. Tinerii incep sa se teama de
angajamente pe termen lung, pentru ca de fapt vad prea putine
exemple in mass-media si in viata de zi cu zi.
Foarte putini tineri mai sunt dispusi sa-si daruiasca iubire si sa
aiba incredere, daca chiar propriile vieti le sunt traumatizate, prin
pierderea familiei si a stabilitatii, din vina unuia sau chiar a celor
doi si din cauza faptului ca mass-media prezinta fara discenamant
filme cu astfel de situatii.
Tinerii speriati si singuri, care au dorinte, nevoi si sperante
incearca sa-si gaseasca partenerul potrivit prin perioade de proba
mai lungi sau mai scurte.
Statisticile ne arata ca depresiile, anxietatea, infidelitatea si
violenta in relatiile maritale sau nemaritale ating cote alarmante.
Multi copii se nasc in astfel de relatii fragile, copii care la randul
lor vor suferi din cauza pierderilor si despartirilor cand vor fi mai
mari.
Pe vremuri, casatoria presupunea ca doi oameni sa se inteleaga
si sa puna pret pe viata de familie si pe copii mai presus de
propria lor persoana.
Astazi asistam cu intristare la o perceptie eronata, casnicia
inseamna doar a avea pe cineva alaturi, atata timp cat te simti
bine in aceasta situatie, de fapt la o forma pura de egoism.
Copiii
A fi parinte inseamna a-ti invata copiii ce este generozitatea,
altruismul, devotamentul, menirea, compasiunea, dragostea de
viata si pentru cel de langa tine.
Elementele "eu", "cariera", "realizarea mea" falsifica de fapt
realitatea. Pentru unii parinti, cresa, gradinita, bona cu norma
intreaga sunt considerate un fel de binecuvantare, pentru

libertatea lor individuala, iar acesta tine de educatie si de valorile

familiei.
Responsabilitatea pentru casnicie si educarea copiilor reprezinta
de fapt modul in care un individ traieste pentru el si mai ales
pentru altii.
Consider ca este o atitudine corecta, fiind opusa narcisismului,
dorintei de placere, realizari si satisfactie imediata, care de fapt
predomina in cazul unui numar tot mai mare de indivizi din
societatea noastra.
Biserica si scoala, in general, ar trebui sa intervina energic in
educarea celor tineri, pentru o viata de familie sanatoasa.
Astfel educatia pentru viata de familie trebuie sa nu ramana doar
un simplu concept in sine, trebuie sa ne implicam mai mult in
promovarea acestei educatii.
Educarea si informarea adolescentilor din licee in domeniul
sanatatii reproducerii, al prevenirii consumului de droguri si
substante halucinogene trebuie sa se concretizeze prin ore
speciale in noile planuri cadru de invatamant.
De fapt, scoala si biserica sunt chemate pentru a realiza
experiente de invatare umana. Programele izolate si razlete, desi
exista, nu pot rezolva singure aceasta problema sensibila a
existentei umane in societatea romaneasca.

Familia tradiional n faa provocrilor mileniului trei

Familia tradiional i toate valorile pe care aceasta le-a
promovat n decursul timpului sunt ntr-un mare pericol. Urmare
a condiiilor socio-economice, n principal, dar i al unui alt tip de
mentalitate, concubinajul a luat proporii. Se nasc puini copiii
muli dintre acetia n afara cstoriei (familiei) iar din ce n ce
mai multe familii se destram. Raportul dintre natalitate i
mortalitate este unul alarmant. Statul romn nu are o politic
demografic i asta pentru c statul nsui, ca form superioar
de organizare a societii, are mari probleme. Un proces
constant de mbtrnire se poate observa dealtfel n ntreaga
Europ. i totui exist reacii n faa acestei situaii. Aliana

Familiilor din Romnia (AFR) face acest lucru: reacioneaz.

AFR este o pictur necesar ntr-un ocean al indiferenei.
Despre familie, rolul i aciunile AFR, ntr-un interviu n
exclusivitate cu Bogdan Mateciuc, directorul executiv al AFR.
Reporter: Cnd a fost nfiinat Aliana Familiilor din Romnia
(AFR), de ctre cine i ce anume i propune?
Bogdan Mateciuc: AFR s-a constituit n anul 2007, membrii
fondatori fiind organizai anterior ntr-un Comitet de
Iniiativ pentru derularea unui Proiect de ocrotire a
cstoriei i familiei. Asociaia noastr este o organizaie
de promovare i aprare a tradiiilor social-culturale care au
stat la baza dezvoltrii societii romneti: familia i morala
cretin, aplicate n relaiile interumane i n viaa social.
Reporter: n opinia dv., cum apreciai situaia familiei din ara
noastr la ora actual?
Bogdan Mateciuc: Dup 1989, familia i cstoria ca instituii i
implicit atitudinea autoritilor i a publicului fa de ele au suferit
o degenerare. Familia i cstoria sunt sub un atac mai mult sau
mai puin contient din partea unor fore secularizante, care
afirm c familia i cstoria ori nu mai sunt necesare, ori
trebuie redefinite. n acelai timp, canalele mass-media
promoveaz stiluri alternative de via i ne prezint drept
modele de urmat viaa unor aa-zise vedete. Autoritile
statului, dei sunt contiente de criza demografic prin care
trece Romnia (o populaie tot mai mbtrnit, cu impact asupra
veniturilor la bugetul de stat, prin reducerea bazei de
impozitare), nu fac nimic pentru a proteja familia. Din contr,
subscriu tacit la promovarea alternativelor distructive la adresa
familiei i, mai nou, adopt msuri financiare mpotriva familiilor,
ca parte a programului de combatere a crizei economice.
Reporter: Ce ar trebui s fac statul romn pentru conservarea
identitii familiei?
Bogdan Mateciuc: Statul nu are o politic concertat pentru
promovarea cstoriei i familiei. Nu i susine pe tinerii care ar

dori s ntemeieze o familie. Asemenea msuri ar trebui s in

de o strategie naional, pentru c actuala criz demografic
este un pericol cu btaie lung. Statul ar trebuie s conceap un
program de msuri pentru ncurajarea acestor tineri, i pentru
descurajarea alternativelor promovate de unele organizaii nonguvernamentale.
Reporter: Credei c biserica m refer la biseric n general i
nu neaprat numai la cea ortodox se implic suficient n
prezervarea identitii familiei? Dac o face, cum anume o face?
Bogdan Mateciuc: n general, Biserica se implic n
promovarea familiei, n primul rnd pentru c familia ca uniune
dintre un brbat i o femeie a fost ntemeiat de nsui
Dumnezeu. Ca instituie, ea a fost validat i de Mntuitorul Iisus
Hristos. Aceast promovare se manifest prin predicile i
cuvintele de nvtur rostite n biserici i, ocazional, prin
comunicate oficiale emise n legtur cu diferite evenimente i
aciuni publice. Totui, AFR consider c implicarea Bisericii n
general poate fi mai activ i adus mai bine la cunotina
publicului, care are ateptri n acest sens din partea Bisericii.
Reporter: Care sunt, n opinia dv., principalele pericole la
adresa familiei i care sunt consecinele probabile pe termen
lung?
Bogdan Mateciuc: Familia este bagatelizat i desconsiderat.
Acest lucru nu este neaprat un atac organizat sau contient.
Este vorba de o atitudine din ce n ce mai rspndit, importat,
alturi de alte bucurii, din Occident i privit cu ngduin de
ctre mass-media i autoriti, n numele unui fals modernism.
Concret, romnii nu se mai cstoresc i nu mai nasc copii.
Divorurile i avorturile sunt la cote mari. Divorul a fost liberalizat
astzi poi divora foarte uor, iar avorturile se fac din bani
publici statul pltete avorturile, dei ele sunt contra interesului
naional. ncercarea de normalizare a unor perversiuni i
eventual includerea lor sub titulatura familie este un alt atac la
adresa familiei. Rezultatul l vedem sub forma debusolrii
individului. Familia ar trebui s fie un micro-univers al omului, un

loc n care el se simte mplinit i n care i regenereaz puterile,

pentru a face fa provocrilor vieii. n lipsa acestui microunivers, individul devine instabil, debusolat i predispus la
gesturi i aciuni negative att asupra lui, ct i asupra altora.
Debusolarea n viaa personal are impact asupra
comportamentului lui n societate. Pe termen mediu i lung,
Romnia are o populaie mbtrnit. Din aceast cauz, ca
naiune ea nu mai are energiile de care are nevoie ca s se
dezvolte. Un popor debusolat, deprimat i cruia i s-a cultivat un
negativism persistent fa de sine nu poate dinui. n plan
practic, exist deja probleme cu sistemul de pensii i de
contribuii al bugetul de stat. Prea puini tineri, prea muli btrni.
Statul are o povar imens n aceast privin.
Reporter: Care considerai dv. c sunt, prin finalitatea lor, cele
mai reuite aciuni ale AFR i ce v propunei, n acest sens, n
viitor?
Bogdan Mateciuc: Asociaia noastr monitorizeaz activitatea
legislativ i este interesat de promovarea unor legi n sprijinul
familiei. Colaborm cu orice partide i politicieni care ader la
valorile familiei. Cu ocazia alegerilor locale, naionale sau
unionale facem o analiz a candidailor i emitem un Ghid al
Alegtorului prin care i informm pe alegtori despre profilul
candidailor. Analiza ine cont de aciuni, voturi i declaraii ale
candidailor. La alegerile trecute, unii candidai foarte cunoscui,
care ns nu aderau la valorile familiei, nu au fost alei n urma
aciunilor de informare derulate de AFR. Prin aceste aciuni ale
noastre, i invitm pe alegtori s voteze n cunotin de cauz
i le transmitem candidailor mesajul c un reprezentant trebuie
s i reprezinte pe cei ce l-au ales i valorile lor. Aceste campanii
ale noastre au fost un succes. Evident, ele vor fi realizate i la
alegerile care vor urma. O alt reuit a noastr a fost implicarea
n dezbaterile publice pe marginea noului Cod Civil. Au existat
ncercri, din partea unor organizaii, de a strecura acolo
recunoaterea parteneriatelor ntre homosexuali. Cu ajutorul
unor parlamentari responsabili, am blocat acele ncercri. Pe

viitor, vom continua s colaborm cu politicieni pentru adoptarea

de msuri n sprijinul familiei. Susinem cu fermitate eliminarea
din Parlament a oricrui politician care nu ascult de alegtori
iar alegtorii sunt n majoritate cretini i cred n valorile familiei.
De asemenea, o int a noastr este introducerea n Constituie
a definiiei familiei ca uniune ntre un brbat i o femeie. Textul
actual prevede uniunea ntre soi, care e un termen
interpretabil. Toate aciunile AFR se subscriu dorinei de a
(re)aminti i (re)afirma valorile tradiionale ale familiei. Este
nevoie s se fac n permanen aceasta, ntr-o vreme n care
valorile i reperele morale sunt relativizate i rsturnate.
A consemnat Nicolae BALINT
www.nicolaebalint.wordpress.com

Defining Your Family's Values

A family is defined as a social unit consisting of parents and
the children they raise.
Value is defined as the quality or worth of a thing. To combine
the words together yields a definition of: a traditional set of social
standards defined by the family and a history of customs that
provide the emotional and physical basis for raising a family. Our
social values are often times reinforced by our spiritual or
religious beliefs and traditions. Do you have traditional family
values? How do you determine your family values?
The values a family develops are traditionally the foundation
for how children learn, grow and function in the world.
Your family values definition consists of ideas passed down from
generation to generation. It boils down to the philosophy of how
you want to live your family life. Three traditional basic tasks in
life have been described as work, play and love. There are many
activities that fall under these categories that define our
values. All of them are important and it takes work to balance
these tasks. However, we often get caught up in work and other
activities and neglect play and love. Often times we work hard
because we are invested in our career goals, material things and
financial rewards. Yet without a balanced life of incorporating
play and having loving relationships, our lives become stressful,
overwhelming and unsatisfying. Traditionally people define their
values as stating that the family comes first, yet they find
themselves with very little time or energy left over for spending
time with the family.

What does family time mean to you?

This may mean something different to each member of your
family. How about a family meeting to determine what your family
values? Family meetings provide an opportunity for all members
to come together and share their thoughts, perspectives and their
lives. It is easy to get caught up in activities and schedules which
leaves little time for the family. A family meeting is an opportunity
to prioritize the things your family values and establish
traditions. Schedule a family meeting at least once a week to
determine your family values.
Traditional family values that fall under the love task
include all our relationships.
Things such as how you view marriage and commitment, what
role religion/spirituality plays in your family, how emotionally
available you are to others, your beliefs about sharing
responsibility, the common interests shared by your spouse and
family, shared activities and hobbies, how family time is spent,
how family decisions are made, common beliefs shared by you
and your spouse regarding spirituality and religion, how family
traditions are established, and so on. These are good topics to
discuss at a family meeting to help determine how these things
are valued. Often time assumptions are made about what
another family member believes or values. Misunderstandings
and miscommunications can happen because of these
assumptions.
Our play time includes things like recreation, relaxation,
alone time and exercise.
What do you value in terms of your play? Without a period of time
to allow our bodies to unwind and calm down, the rest of our day
gets out of balance. How does your family incorporate these

activities into life? Are there things you and your family do to
incorporate play and alone time into your lives?
Traditional family values usually include such topics such as
religion, marriage, communication, traditions, morals,
holidays, interactions with relatives and how time is spent
together.
To identify what your values are and the values of your family, it is
helpful to get a clear picture of what that actually
means. Consider doing this exercise with your family at a family
meeting. Give each family member a clean sheet of
paper. Getting things on paper helps to give a clearer picture of
what you desire your values to be and how you might set goals to
achieve having your time spent around living these values. Each
person takes a sheet of paper and divides it into three
columns. The first column is to brainstorm a list of all the
activities that you value, in any order. The list may
include spending time with children, work, exercise,
spirituality/religion, quiet time for yourself, education, time with
spouse, computer games, being with friends, etc. Then, in the
second column, arrange the list in order of priority. For example,
if you value time with your spouse the most, put that at the top of
the list and continue with the other activities that you value in their
order of importance. In the third column, arrange the activities in
order of how you actually spend your time during an average
week and list the approximate hours you spend doing this
activity. If you find spending time with your spouse is on the top
of your list of valued activities and far down on the list of actual
time spent, this disconnect could mean a problem. This is a
perfect opportunity to talk about your values as a family unit and
get input from other family members. What changes could you
make in your life to incorporate the family values you have
identified?

All activities I
value
Spiritual / Religion
Family time
Career
Etc.

Prioritized list of
valued activities
1. Time with
spouse
2. Career
3.

Actual Time
spent
Career: 45 hours

Family values are the foundation for how children grow, are
taught and supported.
Traditional family values are usually passed on from one
generation to the next, giving children the structure and
boundaries in which to function and thrive. Family time, love, play
and work give children this foundation. Take the time to share
your family values and traditions with your children. Schedule
family meetings together, share meals together where the family
gets together to talk about the day, schedule recreation and
relaxation into your day-to-day life. The definition of family values
is the social standards defined by the family and a history of
traditions that provide the emotional and physical basis for raising
a family. Work together within your family to identify and create
your own family values.
What exactly makes up a strong family that possesses good family
values? A strong family is one that sustains its members, that
supports and nourishes the members throughout the span of that
family .
A strong family unit creates a safe, positive and supportive place for all
members to thrive. They are able to utilize resources and to live together
in a fairly healthy manner.

The adults in a strong family set the tone. They are good role models
that lead by example. They reach out to friends and community and
teach their children the importance of doing the same -- and that
becomes part of who the children are. They work together to solve
problems, and they pass their skills on to the next generation. Some
important elements of a strong family system are family cohesion,
family flexibility and family communication.
Cohesion- In families cohesion would be defined as the feeling of being
loved, of belonging to the group and being nurtured by it. Although
closeness is good in a family unit, there must be a balance between
being together and being separate. A person must be able to develop
their individuality, while being supported and confident within the
family. A few things that bring a family together are the commitment of
other family members, and the spending of time together.
Flexibility- There must be a structure in a family or it will become
chaotic and will not be a peaceful setting for a family. Conversely, there
must be flexibility or the family becomes rigid and the authority figures
become resented. We could compare a successful family to a
democracy. There are leaders, but the whole group is involved in the
decision making process. Although the leaders are in charge all members
develop the ability to cope with stress, and at times lead. While the
family works to avoid stressful situations they work together to solve
problems, without blaming, criticizing and finding fault with each other.
Families that tend to have a strong spiritual base seem to have a sense of
well-being that facilitates this working together in times of stress.
Communication- Ever hear the saying, "What we have here is a failure
to communicate?" A lack of communication can rip a family apart and
destroy them. Things that facilitate communication are the things
mentioned so far -- family closeness, flexibility, time spent together,

spirituality. All members must feel a freedom within the group to

express themselves freely.
Another very important factor is the relationship between the "head"
couple. In a family that is parented by a happily married couple, people
are able to express themselves more freely. What they might say isn't
filtered through the problems of the "guardians." A happy marriage
seems to set the tone in the house. It spills over from the family to the
community and a healthy family will be reaching out to help others.
They do not tend to isolate themselves from the rest of the world.
A very important thing for families to teach their children is how to
make good decisions. If they have watched their parents making well
thought out decisions over the years, they will tend to be good decision
makers themselves.
A healthy, happy family benefits our whole society. Among the children
of strong families their is less crime, less divorce and less emotional
problems. They tend to go on and have strong, healthy families of their
own, having learned from their folk's example.

Family values have existed as long as there have been

families, but in the 16th century those values were most
clearly determined and enforced by religion. In the 16th
century, people of the Western world gleaned most of their
family values from the Anglican, Catholic or Protestant
churches and from religious scholars of the time.
The Patriarchal Western Family Value
Scholars of the 16th century suggest that families of Western
societies rallied around and were essentially led by a patriarchal
figure. Thus, families were male-dominated in most of Western
culture with a male head-of-household and property passing to
male offspring. Some cultures, such as in Portugal, offered
shared inheritance for marriage partners and offspring.
Sixteenth Century Marriage and Family Values
While marriage customs vary slightly between cultures, as do the
laws that govern them, in Western society, families valued women
in more of a literal sense. In most Western countries during the
16th century, a woman entered into marriage accompanied by a
dowry, or "bride price," payable to both the groom and the
groom's family. It essentially represented the disinheritance of the
bride's family.
The Values of Sex Education for Medieval Families
The overall attitude toward sex during this time was hostile, and
this bled into family values concerning sex. Generally, families
were taught under religious doctrine that copulating under the
stimulus of desire was sin, while copulating strictly for the goal of
procreation within the sanctity of marriage was not sin.
Simultaneously, families of the time period were often known to
share a single bed, and youth engaged in courtship during the

late 16th century could bundle together with a board between

them to spend the night together with the family.
Sixteenth Century Values Concerning Child Rearing and Children
Both Jewish and Christian people of Western Culture agreed that
children needed a firm hand and discipline, which included
corporal punishment (child abuse). At the same time, children
were viewed as beings who required nurture and protection to
thrive and evolve. Children who needed "corrections" by their
parents were encouraged by scholarly manuals of the times to
pray, and the parents themselves were encouraged to correct
children with words before engaging in corporal punishment.

Chinese traditions date back thousands of years. In China, the

interest of the family outweighs the interest of the individual, and
decisions are made based on how they impact the group first and
foremost. Family in China means not only mom, dad and kids. It
includes all manner of extended family, including grandparents,
aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws. As a result, many of the
values of Chinese culture revolve around family.

Commitment to Marriage
Marriage has always played an important part in China's culture.
Marriage was so important that arranged marriages were typical
for centuries. Such marriages were expected to endure for a
lifetime. This important decision was not left to the young people,
but was made by their elders. While that has changed today,
marriage is still considered the desired state and the basis of the
family. Even now, a couple typically requests the approval of their
parents before marriage as a sign of respect for the knowledge
and experience of their elders.
Respect for Elders
Unlike many western cultures that value youth, the Chinese
revere their elders and respect the knowledge that is gained with
age and experience. Chinese families typically take care of their
aging family members, rather than leaving them to fend for
themselves. Recent changes in society, however, have prompted
the possibility of a law requiring children to visit and care for their
parents in cases where the children fail to uphold a duty to
support their parents.
Respect for the Dead
Ancestor worship is important within the Chinese family. The
Chinese believe that the spirits of deceased family members
continue to watch over them and influence the lives of those
they've left behind. Remaining family members often create an
altar in the home with candles, a photo of the relative and several
items of offering. Articles the deceased may need in the great
beyond are placed on the altar. Grooming items, favorite foods
and money are commonly found on altars.
Importance of Education
Chinese families place a great value on education and Chinese
children are expected to assume the same attitude without

question. Students of both sexes spend considerable time

studying and striving to excel in the subjects they take in school.
Television, computer games, sports and playtime are often given
low or no priority in favor of academic pursuits. Intense pressure
and a competitive atmosphere prevail, as parents insist on
nothing short of academic excellence in the hope of securing a
good future for their children.

From basic human rights to joyful holiday celebrations, American

culture is rich in tradition. Since the country gained its
independence, it has worked diligently to define itself in the world.
In 2010, America is defined by its long-standing traditions, cultural
customs and family values.
Independence
Ever since the Declaration of Independence was drafted in 1776,
Americans have appreciated and respected their independence.
In fact, AmericanHospitals.com explains it as the cornerstone of
American values. It permeates every aspect of our society.
Independence allows Americans to live the life they want to live,
work in a career they choose, dress how they please and make
their own decisions on religion. Independence is so prominent
that American teenagers anxiously await their 18th birthday, when
they finally become independent of their parents.

Individuality
Along with independence lies the tradition of individuality. As each
American makes his own decisions on what to wear, how to look
and who to love, an extensive array of individualized personalities
develop. Individuality is both an American tradition and an
American family value. Just as we expect our friends and
neighbors to accept us for who we are, we also expect our
families to love us regardless of our individual choices.
Education
Education is held near and dear to the hearts of Americans, who
consider it the key to opportunity, including financial security,
according to AmericanHospitals.com. From the moment a child
reaches the tender age of five or six, he is enrolled in school. He
will continue through the educational system for at least the next
12 or 13 years, although many people choose to further their
education after this point. With an extensive array of community
colleges, universities and graduate programs across the country,
Americans truly cherish formal education.
January - June Holidays
Some of the most popular and deep-rooted American traditions
can be seen on the holidays. The new year starts with Americans
gathering with friends and families on December 31; they set
New Years Resolutions and ring in the new year together.
Valentines Day is celebrated by sending love notes, candies and
flowers to the ones you love. In many American schools, children
pass out Valentines cards to each other. Easter is a Christian
holiday, which many Americans celebrate by coloring and hiding
hard-boiled eggs.
July - December Holidays
The country celebrates its independence on July 4, when
Americans gather for picnics, parades, friends and fireworks. On

October 31, American children dress up in costumes and trick or

treat around the neighborhood, hoping to gather candy for the
Halloween holiday. In 1621, the Puritans hosted a feast for the
Native Americans to thank them for their kindness. This act
developed into an American tradition and Thanksgiving feasts are
now served in most American families with a traditional menu of
turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. The year ends with the
celebration of Christmas on December 25. Traditionally, American
families decorate a Christmas tree and their home with glittering
lights and ornaments. On Christmas day, gifts are shared among
friends and families.