Modern Problem Written 2000 Years Ago in Rome

Do you ever long wistfully for a return to simpler times, when things seemed less complex and more stable? You’re not alone!

In the good old days, in fact right down to recent years, married women ran their homes as their chief domain. Their husbands would come home at night and plop themselves down by the fireside, lay their cares aside, and rest from their busy day out in the world. Without question, the men were in charge; yet an atmosphere of harmony and hard work prevailed under their roofs. It was a day when their wives—beautiful women—burned only with the desire to make their men all that they could be, especially to business. This division of labor was never territorial; neither partner laid claim to ownership of anything. Rather, they cooperated for the good of the family: she worked as diligently at home as he did in his public activities… Nowadays, though, it seems as though women only want to pursue material gain. They want to be rid of even the most basic household responsibilities, as if to become nothing but consumers of luxury items, often bankrupting their families in the process.

Another observer lamented the effect this change has had on children:

There used to be a time when an honest child was raised, not at the hand of some hired nurse, but in his mother’s lap, and at her knee. In those days, a mother could have no higher praise than that she managed her house well and gave herself to her children. Of course, she had plenty of help: when occupied elsewhere, she could call upon a trustworthy grandmother to care for all the little saplings taking root in her home. She knew that the elder would not stand for any foul language or misbehavior. Religiously, and with the utmost delicacy, the older lady would oversee not only the serious tasks of her young charges, but also their games and play. Nowadays, by contrast, too many children are handed over almost from birth to some daycare worker, who might let just anyone assist her—quite often the least-qualified sort of person. These people take no thought of the kind of conversation they have, giving children their earliest impressions of the world, while their minds are still green and unformed. It’s a disgrace, really, that parents could care so little about what these caretakers say in front of their children. Even worse, the parents themselves make no effort to train their little ones in goodness and self-control. As a result, children grow up in an atmosphere of laxity and poor manners. Over time, they come to lose all sense of shame and all respect, both for themselves and for other people.

These writers sound a lot like people I know. By the way, did I mention that they were writing 2,000 years ago? The authors, Columella and Tacitus, were two Romans of the first century—the very period when Christ and His apostles launched the Church and spread the gospel message throughout the Roman Empire.

That message emerged during a time of extraordinary cultural change. The old Roman republic had collapsed in 27 B.C. when Octavian took control and proclaimed himself emperor, Caesar Augustus. This change of government had a profound and lasting effect on life throughout the Empire.