An overview of American families documents the prevalence of divorce, dysfunctional parental behavior, and the general failure of the family to protect children from criminogenic influences. The growing schism between classes caused by racism and poverty is also documented. A review of the plight of the cities notes that the Federal retreat from the cities, combined with the cities' budget crises in 1991, greatly exacerbated by the 1990-92 recession, resulted in reduced social services for those most in need and contributed to the increasing troubles of families and individuals at the margins of society. Particularly hard hit have been the ghetto poor, who live with a sense of desolation, loss of control, and vulnerability. The growing number of homeless people is the ultimate sign that society has failed to provide a structure of protection for those who cannot find a humane way to survive in our society. The plights of the mentally disturbed and children who suffer from abuse and neglect also reveal failures in social services. Other topics discussed are the failure of both blacks and whites to discuss and analyze the state and the problems of inner cities, cities as centers for crime, and the dynamics of urban riots. Remaining issues addressed are flight from the cities, carjacking, the public's indifference to the pursuit of significant socioeconomic reforms to benefit inner cities, and the mismanagement of cities by politicians inexperienced in managing cities.