2008 Woodie Awards
The Problems with conservative values
924174156@gsc.edu
Jonathan Brown
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: Letters to the editor
There is currently legislation in 16 different states, including Georgia, which would ban gay and lesbian couples from adopting children. This legislation is backed by conservative Republicans, who believe that the best way to raise kids is in a two-parent, heterosexual environment.
According to Republican congressman Ronald Hood, children raised by gay parents have increased risk of physical and emotional problems, and might question their own sexuality. Hood went on to state, "Studies have shown that the optimal setting to raise children is in a traditional setting with a mom and a dad." Regardless of what one may personally think of homosexuality, it is important to discuss whether or not homosexual parenting is harmful to children. If science shows that homosexual parents are bad for children, conservatives would have more ground to stand on when attempting to ban gay couples from adoption. Fortunately, this is not the case.
The American Psychological Association concluded in 2005 that "not a single study has found children of lesbian or gay parents to be disadvantaged in any significant respect relative to children of heterosexual parents." If conservatives can openly condemn different types of families, than it should be fair game to attack their failures in understanding the reality of raising children.
And unlike the case of gay adoption, socialization research actually does show that conservative parenting is harmful to children. The conservative parenting model comes from James Dobson and his religious organization, Focus on the Family. According to Dobson, the main idea of conservative parenting is that children are bad and sinful and that only through the incentive of rewards and the fear of punishment can children learn discipline and become mature. Children must give absolute obedience to the parent's authority, and defiance is punished by painful spanking.
This sort of punishment is actually a form of love. Dobson instructs parents to spank their kids and tell them, "Because I love you so much, I must teach you to obey me."
According to Republican congressman Ronald Hood, children raised by gay parents have increased risk of physical and emotional problems, and might question their own sexuality. Hood went on to state, "Studies have shown that the optimal setting to raise children is in a traditional setting with a mom and a dad." Regardless of what one may personally think of homosexuality, it is important to discuss whether or not homosexual parenting is harmful to children. If science shows that homosexual parents are bad for children, conservatives would have more ground to stand on when attempting to ban gay couples from adoption. Fortunately, this is not the case.
The American Psychological Association concluded in 2005 that "not a single study has found children of lesbian or gay parents to be disadvantaged in any significant respect relative to children of heterosexual parents." If conservatives can openly condemn different types of families, than it should be fair game to attack their failures in understanding the reality of raising children.
And unlike the case of gay adoption, socialization research actually does show that conservative parenting is harmful to children. The conservative parenting model comes from James Dobson and his religious organization, Focus on the Family. According to Dobson, the main idea of conservative parenting is that children are bad and sinful and that only through the incentive of rewards and the fear of punishment can children learn discipline and become mature. Children must give absolute obedience to the parent's authority, and defiance is punished by painful spanking.
This sort of punishment is actually a form of love. Dobson instructs parents to spank their kids and tell them, "Because I love you so much, I must teach you to obey me."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Lillian S. Welch
posted 4/18/08 @ 9:19 AM EST
Jonathan-I am glad you were able to express your views in THE COMPASS regarding parenting and conservative values. I do feel however that your views of Dr. (Continued…)
Emily
posted 11/08/08 @ 6:46 PM EST
Good grief. What about the problems with liberal "values"?
Emily
Emily Westmore
posted 11/08/08 @ 7:02 PM EST
Good grief. What about the problems with liberal "values"? Of course, if someone wrote an article with that title, it might be called hate speech. Nevermind. (Continued…)
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