A Non-Partisan Question on Family Values

xpanda · Dec 18, 2003

I believe that I am the only woman writing in this forum (that I am aware of, at least) so I am in a unique position to take advantage of an opportunity to hear from men about their views on the current state of family values in Western society. I am currently writing an essay of sorts on this topic, and would love to hear your views.

In his book 'Dead Right,' David Frum poignantly criticises the Republican platform for its recent tendencies to sway leftist voters and soften their stance on a wide variety of political issues.

Referring to the Republican convention in 1992, Frum writes:

"As for the notorious "family values" ... what voters heard at Houston was a Republican insistence that something be done to strengthen the family, combined with a striking absence of ideas about what that something should be. Would unmarried mothers be denied welfare? Would divorce for parents of minor children be restricted? Would the Federal Communications Commiission get smut off television? Would taxes on male heads of households be cut to help their wives to leave the workforce? Good God, no. ... [they] wanted to be seen as more moral than Bill Clinton's Democrats, but only slightly more moral ... if "family values" meant nothing ... then there was equally nothing to stop the oversensitive r the malicious from claiming that the phrase in fact meant, "Let's hate homosexuals and unmarried black mothers." Cheap rhetoric ... can be disconcertingly fragile and unreturnable."

Keeping Frum's suggestions in mind, what do you guys think is the current state of family values in our society and what, if anything, do you think should be done to alter them? Left or right-leaning views most welcome.

Oceans11 · Dec 18, 2003

I think that the Republicans are really closet islamics that are born into a christian society.

Keep women in thier place, hate and punish anyone thats different like the homos, love the death penalty and make abortion illegal.

footnote:
I wondered where you suddenly came from, just popping up like that.
All reasonable and intelligent and knowledgeable.
Are you a reporter dude?
This is a mature adult pissing competition forum, you cant run with the big dogs if you pee like a puppy.

[This message was edited by eek on December 18, 2003 at 08:13 PM.]

Phaedrus · Dec 18, 2003

I think that the whole concept of "family values" is idiotic -- and the idea that the government can somehow "return us to morality" geometrically more so. Half a century ago, during a time to which most Americans look with a misty-eyed disdain, there was just as much of all of the same problems we have today in the family -- it simply was not manifested to obviously, and of course the grotesquely repressive nature of American culture at the time hid many of the problems beneath the surface.

Phaedrus

xpanda · Dec 18, 2003

Eek: I write an NFL prognostication column, so joined this website searching for additional insight. The discovery of the political forum was gravy, so to speak. In the wake of Bush's decision to bar Canadians from reconstruction contract bidding, I piped up. Haven't been able to get off my soapbox since.

As far as this specific topic goes, I am working on a piece for a Toronto newspaper (I'm not actually a reporter, I just have a friend who is an editor there and has commissioned me to write this) and figured that a little extra research wouldn't hurt. Heck, I may even quote a member or two.

PatPatriot · Dec 18, 2003

Are you asking for what is ones opinion on family values??

jimbutorac · Dec 18, 2003

"Family values" as a political topic means nothing IMO. "I'm for family values" is like saying "I'm for America and I respect the flag" or to quote our latest president, "I'm a uniter and not a divider". Just empty political rhetoric.

Don't get me wrong, I believe your family is the most important thing there is, just in political context it doesn't mean much. By the way did I mention that I love my Mom and I'm running for city council?

Phaedrus · Dec 18, 2003

This should be corrected ... I said that American's look to the 1950's with a "misty-eyed disdain," which of course makes absolutely no sense. I meant a fondness, not disdain, of course.

Phaedrus

xpanda · Dec 19, 2003

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Patriot:
Are you asking for what is ones opinion on family values??<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm asking if you think there is any cause for 'family values' to make it to the podium ... in other words, do you see enough social problems that relate to family issues, to warrant political parties offering up resolutions in an effort to correct these problems? And, if you do, what sort of solutions would you recommend?

(I offered up Frum's suggestions just to get the ball rolling.)

SENDITIN · Dec 19, 2003

Are there social problems in the U.S. due to family issues? Take a look at the African American race. That is the root cause of the continuing problems. And no I'm not a racist or bigot...just stating the obvious. I certainly don't claim to have "the solution" either. Making it non-lucrative to have children out of wedlock should have helped. But if your family values source are hip/hop and gangsta rap, you'll never improve.