VALUE JUDGMENTS

The Blakely and Rodriguez articles addressed family values in the United States today realistically, in depth and with feeling. Blakely illustrates the complexities of a functioning circle “keeping in touch” in spite of the separations of divorce, geographical distance and generations.

The Rodriguez piece clearly shows the dichotomy of American fantasy and reality. Growing up in the Midwest, more distant from the immigrant experience, I witnessed families in which the “bachelor” son or “old maid” daughter stayed on at home and looked after the parents. They may have been “queer,” probably not, but they were family. Fantasy does not a family make, but often a function does. I thank you for these two fine viewpoints that really help clear the air.

ROBERT J. MANNERS

Los Angeles