The term meltdown has become a household word in the wake of the enormous tragedy in Japan, following an earthquake and tsunami, which not only claimed thousands of lives, but also set off alarms over escaping radiation from damaged nuclear power plants, and the impact on life in that country.Desperate efforts by the Japanese authorities to contain the situation continue around the clock with the danger are far from over, despite some progress. In the midst of this horror story that shook the world,one aspect of the Japanese culture appeared intact ,and that was a sense of order and respect for each other, even as people waited for assistance in unspeakable conditions.It was difficult not to notice the display of politeness seldom seen when people are in dire need of basic necessities following a calamity such as that country recently experienced. There are lessons in living here.Somehow, we have suffered a meltdown in traditional values and a great deal of it has taken place in family life, where core values should be taught. Few people are willing to talk about it, since criticising other people’s parenting seems to be a taboo subject in Bermuda.Unlike the meltdown in Japan, our meltdown of values acted slowly and stealthily, gradually stripping away proven values like honesty, respect and self-discipline which maintained values for generations despite social conditions that prevented true freedom for all.It’s undeniable that too many young people have not been exposed to discipline along with proper values that previous generations relied on to form a foundation that would equip them to make better decisions when confronting the many challenges in life.With violent gun crime still very much on the minds of many there are the usual calls from various sections of the community for more emphasis on family life and that is perfectly understandable. But what if the horse has already bolted?In other words a young mind allowed to bolt from the barn into a world of many negative distractions is vulnerable when not armed with good values. The point here is that the opportunity to guide a young mind must start very early because the very root of their character could depend on what happens at that stage.So much has changed in Bermuda over the years, especially in this area, that trying to revive values such as respect, honesty and truth is a formidable task for every single Bermudian who believes in a better tomorrow.There is no easy solution to the current gang activity and gunplay. Sadly there are those in our close-knit society who are so overcome with fear that they regard silence as a weapon against those who exert power with the gun, without any thought of the innocent. Not much will change unless people with vital information are willing to step forward to assist Police in their difficult task of protecting the public. Recent Police success should be encouraging.This is not the Bermuda of which we were once so proud. Our leaders, on both sides of the political divide, and the entire population, must join in a combined effort to stem the flow of blood from an element who prefer to operate outside the common laws of decency.Just as authorities in Japan are utilising every means at their disposal to halt the flow of dangerous radiation from nuclear facilities, we must leave no stone unturned in trying to protect and build on what values we have left.Despite the meltdown in core values, there are still families striving to guide young minds in the right direction. It is going to be a long hard battle but one that must be won if this country is to be a better place for future generations. Without values there is no future.