The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
See if you can connect the dots between these seemingly unrelated headlines from last year:
Obama urges students to work hard, stay in school (CNN.com, Sept. 8, 2009)
Complaint Leads to Special Area for Religious Signs at Georgia Football Game (Foxnews.com, Sept. 29, 2009)
Obama’s Safe Schools Czar Says Teach Respect for Homosexuality in Kindergarten (CNSnews.com, Oct. 20, 2009)
Individually, these events are disconcerting for various reasons. (Who’s not worried when Safe Schools Czar and radical homosexual advocate Kevin Jennings talks about kindergartners?) But combined, they reflect the cultural and political tsunami of Leftist influence over our youngest, most impressionable citizens.
These headlines are proof that the Left is socializing our nation’s children right before our eyes, but like most people, for a long time I didn’t notice.
It’s not that I wasn’t paying attention. I’ve been a passionate conservative since I was a young staffer in the Reagan White House in 1982. But in the years between Reagan’s second inaugural and Bill Clinton’s very public and unfortunate mid-life crisis (read: sex scandal), my husband and I welcomed four children into the world. Back then, I lived by my mother’s motto, “Do today your nearest duty,” which meant managing the activities of a busy household while instilling in our children the values and virtues that would guide them to adulthood.
Children don’t stay small forever. Once mine finally were all in school full-time, I transitioned from stay-at-home-mom to work-from-home-writer and launched a family and culture column for The Washington Times called “Then again...” My goal was to explore the issues and experiences that shape families and impact communities by articulating the common themes that resonated with my readers.
The column changed my perspective. It didn’t take long to realize that most of my family stories carried political undertones. By reflecting on and writing about the issues and concerns facing my own family, I discovered that the Left – or more accurately, the agenda of Leftist political activists – had become an ever-present and unwelcome part of the culture war in which I was engaged.
My husband and I set out to raise virtuous, ethical, civic minded, and patriotic citizens with a well-tuned moral compass, an abiding religious faith, a strong work ethic, and a clear concept of right and wrong.
But in the world in which American families now must operate, moral relativism rules the day, patriotism is deemed either hokey or offensive, religious expression is taboo, sexual permissiveness is expected, and outcomes are equalized for the sake of “fairness.”
Examining the issues we confronted in our home, I realized every family in our nation stands at the intersection between politics and parenting, facing a head-on collision that will alter our nation forever. It’s not a culture war, but a battle for the heart and soul of our national ethos. And ever since Barack Obama burst onto the scene, the Left’s true objectives have become even more obvious.
You don’t have to be a parent to be concerned. In fact, the result of this campaign to indoctrinate our nation’s youth will affect every one of us, regardless of our family status. The reason is simple: Our Founders created a nation whose very existence depends upon the virtuous exercise of civic participation by a people who are informed about and committed to the Constitutional Republic they conceived. Even a cursory survey of young people will convince you they are largely uninformed or misguided about the proper role of government in our republic.
It boils down to this: we can’t maintain the kind of system our Founders built for us without the kinds of people who built it. This is why American parents and grandparents play a crucial role in the resurgence of Constitutional fidelity demonstrated in last week’s election.
On politics and parenting, I'm always mindful of the refrain of the poem by William Wallace, “For the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.”
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Sep '10
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
Marybeth,
Excellent points. Did you find it necessary to take the more radical steps such as throwing out the television and possibly home schooling? I ask this in all seriousness since for many citizens, while unplugging the tv is an option, breaking the public school monopoly is not.
Jul '10
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
"When an opponent declares, "I will not come over to your side," I calmly say, "Your child belongs to us already... What are you? You will pass on. Your descendants, however, now stand in the new camp. In a short time they will know nothing else but this new community." Adolf Hitler
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
Thanks, Pseudodionysius (can I call you P?)... we didn't unplug entirely but rather have always viewed media like the ocean... it's enormous and contains lots of interesting things as well as untold dangers. When they were younger, we never let our kids swim the shark infested waters of tv/internet/itunes without a grown-up nearby to make sure they were safe. As they have grown older, they generally apply our media standards to discern on their own what's worthwhile and what isn't. They're 13 to 21 years old now, but we still offer input and direction on media choices in our home. (It's our house, after all!) And we still block offensive outlets like MTV, etc. As for schooling, we chose Catholic schools K -12. It's an option we're blessed to be able to make for our family. Not sure what I'd have done if this wasn't available to us. The more research I do, the more America's public schools scare me!
Aug '10
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
Mrs. Hicks, it was a pleasure to read your contribution. You are perhaps the type or knowledgeable, intelligent person of whom I can ask an important question. I ask this without condescension or rebuke because I am genuinely curious--and I believe that you could provide and answer with insight and self-examination. Your statement, "These headlines are proof that the Left is socializing our nation’s children right before our eyes, but like most people, for a long time I didn’t notice," is what is prompting my humble inquiry. In short, how could you not notice? The signs were there. Given the limited audiences available to me I tried raising the alarm about what was going on, only to invite the disdain of polite, head-in-the-sand, so-called conservatives that merely wanted to believe that positive, post-Reagan vibes and a good stock market would carry us all through. But the Leftist moral rot has been growing for many, many decades. Even here at Ricochet, young urban "conservatives" have delusions that "center-right," pro-gay, pro-choice non-sense can be fused with conservatism. They are liberals masquerading as conservatives and endanger us all.
Sep '10
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
Certainly, I make Kenneth add Aeropagite just to be annoying. Its alarming to read articles in publications like City Journal that demonstrate the monolithic training of teachers in education schools. Its pretty much Paolo Friere and Alinsky lite everywhere in North America which affects even the Catholic schools, of course. The authors of the Federalist Papers were homeschooled and it was Jefferson, I believe, who believed that the Republican democracy they created could not survive without a virtuous citizenry.
Jul '10
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
I strongly object!
Just because I disagree with you that discrimination against a certain segment of the population - gay people - is somehow more noble than discrimination against blacks or hispanics doesn't make me a masquerading liberal.
You're entitled to your narrow views. You're not entitled to smear conservatives who don't happen to share them.
May '10
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
For the same reasons programs aimed at moral suasion are a waste of money and ineffective and should be expunged, they also pose a minimal threat to my ability to parent.
As a parent of three children I am ever watchful for the messages they are receiving from school and the media and making sure they understand where and how their mother and I may disagree with what they hear elsewhere. But in truth I see little in the three headlines you cited to be worried about.
The religious signs issue is ridiculous of course and a bizarre and inappropriate reading of the constitution, but no threat to my ability to parent.
I think the president of the United States as a leader and admired figure should be urging students to stay in school and work hard.
As for teaching kindergartners to respect homosexuality? Different communities are bound to feel differently about that. But schools are faced with liability for bullying -- and rightly so. And if you wait until junior high to explain that bullying is inappropriate, it's too late.
If we make government smaller, and pay attention to parenting, I don't think a culture war is necessary.
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
Thanks for posing your question so respectfully, David! What I meant was that I'd always understood intellectually the Left's intentions, but as a parent trying to instill what we'd call "traditional" or conservative values, I grew to understand the insidious indoctrination that was being directed at my own children, and therefore the next generation of Americans. To your point, at the same time that we've seen this disintegration of morality, there's been a corresponding breakdown in parenting skills. That's the perfect storm for the government to step in and play über-daddy.
Jul '10
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
On the plus side, American school children are, by and large, a cynical, anti-authoritarian lot. It is easier in the Internet age to teach them how to disprove the propaganda than it is to home school, but I have seen impressive results from the home schooled locally. I think our regular visits to Colonial Williamsburg also help with the inoculation process.
Sep '10
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
Kenneth
I strongly object!
Just because I disagree with you that discrimination against a certain segment of the population - gay people - is somehow more noble than discrimination against blacks or hispanics doesn't make me a masquerading liberal.
Nov 7 at 7:57pm
I generally run into 2 types of conservatives (self identified conservatives, I don't know how one excommunicates someone from conservatism) who support gay rights: those who think its a matter of equal rights, and those who think its irrelevant to economic issues so why bother putting up a fuss. I'm not saying that there aren't other prevalent views, of course. Of those 2 types, neither group believes that there is any harmful effect on the nuclear family from the creation of new statutory rights for the gay population.
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
Marybeth: Very cool that you are now gracing the site with your wisdom. What a concise, insightful underscoring of the intersection of parenting/family and politics. This topic is close to my heart as my oldest daughter is a high school senior and will be a college freshman next year. I worry about the inevitable liberal influences with which she will be bombarded in less than a year. I'm doing my job to help inoculate or at least better insulate her from those in the short time I have left before she heads off to school. That and prayer. But, thanks for underscoring the profound importance of this subject, not just for parents, but for the survival of the republic.
Also, I commend you for the best exposition I've seen of the famous John Adams quote, which I've pondered and savored many, many times: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
Sep '10
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
David Limbaugh:
Also, I commend you for the best exposition I've seen of the famous John Adams quote, which I've pondered and savored many, many times: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." · Nov 7 at 8:10pm
I have 3 boys, one of whom is a high school senior and will be doing exactly the same thing. I spend a fair amount of time on the ISI site (www.isi.org) and use their College Guide extensively, but its always an uphill battle.
Jul '10
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
Pseudodionysius
Kenneth
I strongly object!
Just because I disagree with you that discrimination against a certain segment of the population - gay people - is somehow more noble than discrimination against blacks or hispanics doesn't make me a masquerading liberal.
Nov 7 at 7:57pm
I generally run into 2 types of conservatives (self identified conservatives, I don't know how one excommunicates someone from conservatism) who support gay rights: those who think its a matter of equal rights, and those who think its irrelevant to economic issues so why bother putting up a fuss. I'm not saying that there aren't other prevalent views, of course. Of those 2 types, neither group believes that there is any harmful effect on the nuclear family from the creation of new statutory rights for the gay population. · Nov 7 at 8:05pm
I am the type who believes it's about equal rights.
As for "new statutory rights', that's what Emancipation and the Civil Rights movement were about. But it wasn't really about "new statutory rights" was it? It was about honoring the phrase, "All men are created equal".
I'll stand with the Declaration of Independence, thanks.
Jul '10
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
David Limbaugh:
Also, I commend you for the best exposition I've seen of the famous John Adams quote, which I've pondered and savored many, many times: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." · Nov 7 at 8:10pm
Thanks, David. I knew it was Adams, not Jefferson, but you beat me to it.
But here's a question re gay "rights": is being gay immoral? Irreligious?
Or is it more immoral and irreligious to subject any of God's children to hatred and discrimination?
I realize that the answer to those questions depends upon whether you think being gay is a matter of birth or a matter of aberrant behavior. Perhaps, having known so many gay people in my life, I am prejudiced, because it's always seemed to me that they were born that way. And if that is true, then God made them that way and God wants me to accept them as he accepts me.
It seems to me that Christ sided with the despised. I will stand with Him.
Sep '10
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
Kenneth
I am the type who believes it's about equal rights.
As for "new statutory rights', that's what Emancipation and the Civil Rights movement were about. But it wasn't really about "new statutory rights" was it? It was about honoring the phrase, "All men are created equal".
I'll stand with the Declaration of Independence, thanks. · Nov 7 at 8:21pm
I have to turn in shortly, but I was getting at the tensions in the Founding Documents among the different Enlightenment thinkers that influenced the various drafters as discussed in books such as Leo Strauss's Natural Rights and History and the radically different views of human nature implicit.
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
Once again I find myself with Kenneth, much to my chagrin. I don't even understand what "pro-gay" means. If by it you mean trying to teach tolerance toward people with a different sexual-orientation than you, I'm all for it. I wish my liberal friends had more tolerance for conservatives.
And welcome, Marybeth. My 13-year-old daughter's experiences in the liberal public and private schools of West Los Angeles have been written about on this site. It'll be informative to have someone who's been there and done that.
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
David! I'm already enjoying myself at Ricochet except they seem to think I have red hair. Must call my colorist tomorrow!
Adams summarizes precisely. He also said, "Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom." The two quotes work beautifully to remind us of the role of parents in raising free citizens who possess the necessary virtues to sustain our republic. Note I said virtues, not values.
The difference between virtues and values is the reason your lovely daughter will do just fine when you send her off to college. Values are a moving target -- they can change over time and especially under the influence of powerful college professors whose leftist worldview is sung in unison from chemistry to history to English to poly sci.
But a young woman possessed of virtues similar to our founders -- self–discipline, forbearance, humility, moderation, civility, honor, independence, reason, citizenship, fidelity, magnanimity, and reverence -- that's a young woman who will hold her own when challenged to defend her conservatism.
You get those traits into the heart of a child, she's a great citizen. You get them into the hearts of a generation of children, we're talking USA.
Sep '10
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
Kenneth
David Limbaugh:
Thanks, David. I knew it was Adams, not Jefferson, but you beat me to it.
Perhaps, having known so many gay people in my life, I am prejudiced, because it's always seemed to me that they were born that way. And if that is true, then God made them that way and God wants me to accept them as he accepts me.
It seems to me that Christ sided with the despised. I will stand with Him. · Nov 7 at 8:28pm
A great deal to unpack in there Kenneth, and I can't possibly finish tonight, but I'll simply lead off with a question or two. First, surely its possible to disapprove of someone's behavior without hating them? Second, how does one distinguish between discriminating against someone for their behavior and not giving tacit approval of their behavior?
Jul '10
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
Gosh, Marybeth, you've only been here an hour and already you've started a fistfight.
I knew we shouldn't have allowed a Ginger in here.
Re: The Intersection of Politics and Parenting
I'm in the East, all. Thanks again for the warm welcome, but it's time for me to call it a night!