Tango and Family Values

I raise chickens in my backyard. On cold winter days like these, they huddle and tango together to keep themselves warm. Individualism is a luxury chickens can't afford. They rely on each other for survival, much like early human beings (see The Spirit of Tango).

Sometimes I wonder—are modern people truly smarter than chickens? Why did they formulate such radical ideas as individualism and feminism to justify behaviors that are not in the best interests of humanity as a whole? Why are they so obsessed with self-interest and personal rights, yet apathetic toward others? Why do they mistreat, exploit, take advantage of, bully, rob, abuse, torture, and even slaughter their own kind? Why do they greedily accumulate wealth far beyond their needs, at the expense of their fellow human beings? Why, little by little, did they discard the values that held them together and made them strong as a species?

As history has shown, the darker side of human nature can sometimes enable evil to triumph over good, leading to the brainwashing of people into embracing harmful ideas. Perhaps we are experiencing such a time once again (see Pluralism vs. Monism).

Still, I refuse to give up hope, because I see goodness in people like firefighters, Doctors Without Borders, and tango dancers alike. I admire them because it takes a big heart to open your arms to others, to provide a supportive shoulder to those in need, and to be a good Samaritan. Tango was created by such people—immigrant men and women who were homeless, lonely, and vulnerable, seeking refuge in a strange land, yearning to be loved—who hold compassion to others like themselves. Like chickens, they huddle and tango together to keep themselves warm in a cold world (see Why People Dance Tango).

I also find hope in parents who teach their children to love one another, to take care of their little brothers and sisters, and to work as a team. When such children grow up, they will become responsible members of society. Evil prevails only when families disintegrate, when family values are lost, when human bonds fade away, when egoism dominates, and when materialism, individualism, feminism, racism, hatred, divorce, single-parent families, irresponsible sex, and self-indulgence become the accepted norms in society.

But I don't believe the world can continue like this for long. As a species, we are part of nature, and the law of nature overrules the laws of men. Humanity's success depends on our solidarity and cooperation, abilities with which we are innately endowed. As long as human species exists, there will be love, teamwork, family, children, and family values, thus it is impossible for harmful ideologies like liberalism, individualism, and feminism to prevail.

Family will always remain the cornerstone of human civilization. Our collective desire to survive and our shared conscience reject what is harmful to society. After all, we must succeed not as individuals but as a species. This is why, in times like these, more and more people turn to tango—a dance that connects us, a dance that requires teamwork and cooperation, a dance that teaches people to love, and a dance that aligns with family values (see Tango Is the Search for a Dream).