When you know the root of something, you’re more likely to understand the importance of it.

At the heart of this blog are traditional values, which have been coined as “Vintage Virtues” by this site! This article delves into the roots of these values, exploring the delicate balance between tradition and modernity, and the importance of passing these values on to the next generation. The role of activities such as homemaking, homesteading, and homeschooling in preserving traditional values will also be explored. As our culture shifts over time, and louder voices prevail, it may seem as if traditional values are fading away, appearing as vintage relics of a bygone era. However, the truth is that there is “nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Our society continues to grapple with the same core issues of ages past, repackaged as new and modern. It’s important to note that traditional values are deeply rooted in biblical principles. When you know the root of something, you’re more likely to understand the importance of it.

The Roots of Traditional Values

Traditional values go as far back as the very beginning. In Genesis 18:1-8, the LORD visited Abraham in the form of three men. He washed their feet and had Sarah prepare made-from-scratch bread cakes while he prepared a meal of tender calf, curds, and milk. It reminds me of when my grandmother and even great-grandmother would have something on hand to pull out for unexpected guests, whether it was cookies and coffee or an invitation to stay for a meal. This is the gift of hospitality. I now try to have something on hand for these occasions, although unexpected visitors are no longer the norm.

The Book of Exodus (20) contains the Ten Commandments, many of which are the bedrock of traditional values such as Honoring God and the Sabbath Day. There was a time when church attendance was the norm. “On a typical Sunday morning in the period from 1955-58, almost half of all Americans were attending church – the highest percentage in U.S. history. During the 1950s, nationwide church membership grew at a faster rate than the population, from 57 percent of the U.S. population in 1950 to 63.3 percent in 1960” (Tucker, 1997). Perhaps the high church attendance is the reason people respected the other commandments to honor mother and father, not to kill, steal, lie, or commit adultery, and to be content with their own lot – not coveting what others have.

Values that promote actual justice and fairness are derived as far back as Leviticus 19:15, “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great but judge your neighbor fairly.” Charity and generosity are displayed in Deuteronomy 15:7-8, “If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites… be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need.” While love and faithfulness are spoken of in Proverbs 3:3-4 “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” These values are rooted in the Old Testament scriptures and continue to influence traditional values and ethics.

Additionally, Jesus’s greatest command from the New Testament, continues to serve as a springboard for traditional values. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend on all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:36-40).

With this framework, we are naturally inclined to embrace traditional values such as faith, honor, integrity, sanctity of life, monogamy in traditional marriage, honesty, and work ethic. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we bear good fruit. These characteristics are woven throughout the traditional values that I mentioned. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Source: USC: The 1950s, Powerful Years for Religion

Balancing Tradition and Modernity

There are indeed challenges to maintaining traditional values in a rapidly changing world. In “As Culture Shifts, How Are You Maintaining Traditional Values?”, the decline in traditional values due to the shift in American attitudes is discussed. According to a New York Post poll, traditional values such as patriotism, religion, and community have experienced a sharp decline among Americans. So, how do we maintain values in a culture that demands we shift with them? We can turn to foundational truth in the Bible, prayer for guidance and discernment, and resist the trend of drifting with the culture. Additionally, gathering with like-minded believers to support and encourage one another in fellowship is essential. Consider joining life groups, bible studies, and hobbyist groups. It’s important to preserve traditional practices while still embracing modern conveniences and technology. Moreover, we need to teach our children to engage in the world while also nourishing and guiding them, to be the salt and light of the earth. Proverbs 22:6 emphasizes the importance of teaching children when they are young.

Teaching Traditional Values to the Next Generation

“More is caught than taught”; to authentically share values, they must be demonstrated.

Children today are raised much differently than children have been historically. Reflecting on the childhood accounts of Abraham Lincoln or stories from the Little House on the Prairie series, we see pictures of children splitting wood, building homes, making their own toys, and sharing what little they have with others, as well as honoring their father and mother. Other stories from early historic periods show children harnessing their interests into great accomplishments later in life, such as building a steam engine.

Contrast that with today, and we see children connected to their iPads and cellphones, addicted to screens. Meanwhile, mental issues such as anxiety and depression are at an all-time high. Sleep disorders, substance abuse, and obesity now plague children, unlike in years past. With the rise of the internet and constant accessibility, childhood bullying has moved into the sphere of cyberbullying even after school hours. During school hours, they’re having to contend with whatever latest administrative changes hit the pipeline, something teachers have very little control over.

What is different? There was a mass exodus from homemaking; the mother was expected to become a contributing member of the tax base workforce, and the children became latch-key kids. The nuclear family diminished, and a liberalist agenda infiltrated the schools with woke ideology, DEI, and the LGBTQ2IA+ agenda. America as a whole dramatically shifted in about 70 years. I’m not judgmentally dismissing parents of two-income households; I completely understand that the average combined salary of two-income households does not contain the same buying power that one income was able to accommodate. Rampant inflation, skyrocketing education, and the cost of housing – all have devalued the dollar. What I am saying is that there was a combination of factors that have created the situation at hand, and our youth, families, and American lives have suffered the consequences.

Are our children better for these societal changes? Absolutely not. This is why it is of great importance that families stand up, say “enough is enough,” and take back their homes. They should instill traditional values in the home and teach them to the next generation. Where do we start? With God’s Word, the Bible. Start there, embrace the values taught in the Word, and pass them on to your children. “More is caught than taught”; to authentically share values, they must be demonstrated. Additionally, homesteading, homemaking, and homeschooling play a role in imparting values, although they are not essential to embody or instill traditional values.

The Role of Homemaking, Homesteading, and Homeschooling in Traditional Values.

Let me start by saying, that you do not need to be a homemaker, homesteader, or homeschooler to embody traditional values. However, these activities can all play a role in upholding traditional values and promoting a lifestyle centered around loving God and loving others. These lifestyle choices facilitate a soft landing spot at home as a harbor and refuge from the world, nurturing family bonds, instilling the value of work ethic, embracing the concepts of reaping and sowing, finding satisfaction in a job well done, fostering a connection to our natural living world, and providing an education beyond the four walls of the classroom environment, allowing us to stretch our creativity.

Homemaking has been the key to our family’s ability to embrace traditional values and a slower pace of living. It takes time to maintain a comfortable home, nurture relationships, and prepare nourishing meals. We’ve traded in some modern conveniences for a slower way of living, opting for the authentic over the artificial. I’m grateful that my husband respects and encourages my role as a homemaker.

Homesteading is about living off of the land as much as possible, enjoying the fruits of our labors, and connecting with and knowing where more of our food comes from. The practice of homesteading was the norm up until the rise of factory farming and consumerism. Working the land and harnessing its resources is a way to learn to rely on God’s provision. I’ve found it also facilitates my understanding of concepts from the Bible regarding the land, fruit, honey, sowing, and reaping. I’d say I’m more of an aspiring homesteader, as I’m learning to blend the modern way of living with traditional practices that weren’t passed down. Homesteading is about living off of the land as much as possible, enjoying the fruits of our labors, and connecting with and knowing where more of our food comes from. The practice of homesteading was the norm up until the rise of factory farming and consumerism. Working the land and harnessing its resources is a way to learn to rely on God’s provision. I’ve found it also facilitates my understanding of concepts from the Bible regarding the land, fruit, honey, sowing, and reaping. Our family is truly learning as a family when it comes to gardening, taking care of our backyard flock, making our own products, and consuming more items closer to their natural state. This lifestyle is an ongoing work in progress, as our family is truly learning when it comes to gardening, taking care of our backyard flock, making our own products, and consuming more items closer to their natural state. Therefore, I’d say I’m more of an aspiring homesteader, as I’m learning to blend the modern way of living with traditional practices that weren’t passed down.

Homeschooling is a path I contemplated over 20 years ago. Back then, I didn’t know anyone who was homeschooling, and I lacked the social support and awareness of how to pursue it. Although I made an attempt to homeschool my oldest just before pre-k, the absence of support and know-how led me to comply with the conventional educational system. As time passed, I felt increasing pressure to further my own education, pursue a career, and enroll all of my children in the school system. I even succumbed to placing my youngest in daycare, despite every fiber of my being not wanting to. Consequently, our family and my children faced challenges. It wasn’t until the world came to a standstill due to the pandemic and schools closed that I began homeschooling my children. This unprecedented situation provided the opportunity I needed to realize that I could indeed do it, albeit not without stumbling along the way. As the world started to reopen, everyone was re-enrolled in the school system, and I even accepted a position with the schools – an eye-opening experience that lasted only one semester. Now, I am certain that homeschooling is the best choice for my youngest, although I am allowing my daughter to complete her high school years in the traditional system. Homeschooling allows for more family bonding time, a greater ability to instill faith and values in children, and the ability to tailor education to the unique needs of each child. Now, that I’ve fully embraced homeschooling, I wish I had done it from the beginning and encourage others to do so, if they’re interested.

Concluding Thoughts

Maintaining traditional values in a rapidly changing world can be challenging, especially in the face of declining attitudes toward traditional values. However, these values, rooted in the Bible, are essential to the moral fabric of society. Through prayer, like-minded fellowship, and a commitment to incorporate the Word into our lives, we can demonstrate and instill these values into the next generation. Furthermore, the roles of homemaking, homesteading, and homeschooling can significantly contribute to upholding traditional values and nurturing a lifestyle centered around loving God and loving others.