The following message is the core message of ‘Make Families Great Again’ written by Dr. Mel Tavares. I am very happy to share this with you. Our families are in crisis and have been for awhile. Please read this and consider buying this new book. At the end you will find information on where to buy it and how to contact Dr. Tavares. I applaud her for taking a stand on a much needed topic.
The Core Message of the ‘Make Families Great Again’ Movement
Dr. Mel Tavares
Today’s families are undeniably facing a crisis, juggling overwhelming demands from home life, education, work commitments, extracurricular activities, and constant connectivity. While most parents deeply love their children, they find it increasingly challenging to prepare them effectively for adulthood. The traditional family dynamic has shifted dramatically, and many parents openly admit feeling stretched too thin. Consequently, the essential familial bonds and connections necessary to nurture resilient, emotionally healthy children are under significant threat.
Society’s persistent message that more activities, achievements, and material possessions lead to greater happiness has driven families into a frenzied lifestyle. Time scarcity has become commonplace, with statistics indicating parents spend less than thirty minutes a day in direct, meaningful interaction with their children. These brief interactions are insufficient to instill critical values, emotional stability, or life skills; which fundamentally weakens family cohesion.
Parental involvement with their child’s education, historically vital for student success, is drastically declining. With approximately 75% of mothers working outside the home, parental presence at school events and direct supervision of academic responsibilities has waned significantly. While studies consistently highlight parents as key influencers of academic success, practical barriers prevent many from providing essential home-based educational support, thereby contributing to the ongoing crisis in educational attainment.
The pervasive role of digital media further complicates parenting and youth development. Digital technology’s omnipresence profoundly affects children’s emotional, mental, and social health. Although digital consumption alone cannot explain increases in bullying, sexual activity, or mental health issues, its significant negative impacts are undeniable.
Gaming, social media, and streaming platforms often promote trends, vulgarity, and disrespectful behaviors contrary to traditional family values. Nonetheless, digital media is permanent, necessitating vigilant parental oversight and proactive management strategies to mitigate adverse impacts.
Youth culture, defined significantly by technological dependency, poses severe threats to children’s wellbeing. Pew Research reports indicate that 95% of teens possess smartphones and use them almost constantly. This widespread connectivity facilitates everyday tasks, from navigation to entertainment, profoundly shaping identity and social interactions.
However, this connectivity intensifies vulnerabilities, particularly regarding bullying. Bullying incidents, now exacerbated by online platforms, significantly correlate with rising suicide attempts and completions among youth. Moreover, exposure to unrealistic standards via heavily filtered social media imagery escalates body image insecurities, contributing to pervasive anxiety and depression among adolescents.
The cognitive and emotional states of today’s youth indicate a profound crisis. Mental health issues have reached epidemic proportions, driven significantly by overstimulation from relentless digital exposure, societal pressures, and alarming educational environments. This unprecedented mental health crisis reflects broader cultural disarray, marked by increasing anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
Public educational institutions often unintentionally contribute to the erosion of innocence by introducing complex topics such as gender identity at excessively young ages, triggering confusion and distress for many children and their families. Meanwhile, communities nationwide grapple with violence, substance abuse, and crime, dramatically influencing youth’s psychological and emotional health.
Digital addiction further amplifies these mental health challenges. The Alpha generation, born into technological saturation, has lost essential opportunities for traditional childhood experiences, including physical play, creativity, and face-to-face interactions.
There is hope. In the book I wrote, ‘Make Families Great Again’ I address each area more in-depth and bring the Biblical perspective into the discussion. This book is intended for parents, grandparents, pastors, youth pastors, and anyone involved with the next generation of youth. Each chapter is filled with resources to help beyond the scope of the book content. Resources include links to podcasts, websites, books, and more. There is a movement rolling across America in conjunction with the America250 celebrations to Make Families Great Again, one household at a time.
Bio
Dr. Mel Tavares is an award-winning author of books, articles, devotionals, and short stories. She is the Acquisitions and Managing Editor of Arise Daily; a digital daily devotional and 2025 recipient of the Award of Excellence given by the Evangelical Press Association (EPA). Dr. Mel is also the recipient of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) 2025 National Member of the Year award,
Mel holds a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Counseling and has 35 years of experience working with families in education, rehabilitation, and ministry. Mel is a frequent event speaker and media guest.
Her latest book release is ‘Make Families Great Again’, and is being used as a tool to sound the trumpet across America, alerting parents and grandparents of the truths of today’s youth culture. It is up for several awards and is being highlighted in 2026, in conjunction with America’s 250th birthday. Mel welcomes opportunities to speak and highlight the message of the book.
She and her husband live in Middletown, Connecticut. They have seven adult children and eleven grandchildren.
Resources can be found on her website: https://www.drmeltavares.com/ or you can email her directly at drmeltavares@gmail.com
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