The Cicmany community hand made just about everything they needed for daily living including tools, farming equipment, clothing, kitchen tools and utensils and these beautiful embroidered fabics used for many different purposes.

However, as Americans know all too well, there is a price to pay for this type of prosperity, which of course has to do with the health and well being of the family, the back bone of any society. With both parents in the work force the family’s ability to foster togetherness and cohesiveness is undeniably diminished. The children do not receive the love and discipline they need and ultimately end up entering adulthood ill-equipped to be healthy members of society who can make a positive contribution. This is a trend I see unfolding here in Slovakia. Most people, I sense, don’t believe they have any other choice. The argument is the same as that of American families, that there is a certain standard of living which must be achieved for the family to realize their goals.
The argument is more compelling in this part of the world as people’s opportunity to get a college education, find a good paying job and find adequate housing is far below many other nations (and certainly above others).