Erratic economy provides traditional treasures

Taking the time to round up the family to share a book or meal, although difficult at first, has little downside. Reckless consumer spending has defined America for too long. As the economic downturn turns into a global recession, economists are scolding Americans for their finance now and try to pay for it later attitude.

American consumers are abandoning big splurges and unearthing forgotten rituals in search for ways to save money. Maybe, we should dig a bit deeper. One way Americans are saving money is by foregoing family vacations and, instead, making more trips to the movie theaters. By the end of February, movie ticket sales had already reached $1.7 billion, resulting in a 17.5 increase from last year. Despite an increase in the price of movie tickets, attendance is up 16 percent from last year.

Movie producers are salivating, expecting a box office surge unseen in 20 years. Going to the movies is a fine form of escape, but with no signs of recession relief, the rediscovery of more fulfilling tales abide. This is not a lecture. The sacrifices made during a recession are hard enough to bear. However, we have the opportunity to quarry old traditions lost.

Reading and eating with the family at the dinner table provide cheap, meaningful alternatives for movie night. A recent report released by the National Endowment for the Arts emphasized statistics that reinforce the importance of developing strong reading habits: a sharp divide in reading skills exist between incarcerated adults and non-prisoners; and greater academic, professional and civic benefits are associated with higher levels of leisure reading and comprehension.

The fundamentals of reading are the key for personal economic growth but also lead to a prosperous future for all by promoting strong citizenship. Taking the time to round up the family to share a book or meal, although difficult at first, has little downside. For instance, the more often a family meets at the dinner table, the less likely children are to abuse drugs and alcohol, smoke cigarettes, battle depression and thoughts of suicide, according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.

As American International Group (AIG) is proving, uninhibited spending seems ineffective. We all have a responsibility to upturn the downturn. Yet the burden becomes lighter by getting back to what really is important. Breaking bread with loved ones and cultivating our youth with literature saves money and invests in our personal and collective futures.

Contact David Scott, managing editor, dscott12@jccc.edu.