Amid the large number of presentations at the World Congress of Families IV this Saturday, I believe the very first one was the most compelling. In this session, Patrick Fagan deftly argued that the most foundational human right is that of a child to be born into a loving home established by his married parents. This reality thus directs those parents to provide such a marriage and such a home. The moral responsibility is theirs, one given by a God Who really means business when it comes to matters of justice. And, in the same way, the government (whose chief duty is to protect its citizens) has an immense stake in promoting and protecting such homes.Indeed, with the dramatic superiority of advantages offered by the traditional marriage (mental health, economics, safety, education, happiness, etc.), the state has the utmost interest in laws that insure such homes are the norm.
Mr. Fagan took much of his time this morning delineating this long checklist of advantages, showing how conclusive the demographic data is on the superiority to all involved (including society at large) when a “culture of belonging" triumphs over a "culture of brokenness.” And as a clinical psychologist, Fagan was able to relate very engaging personal reflections which gave his statistic descriptions added relevance and warmth.
“Feminists, take note.” Fagan challenged; the safest place, the happiest place and, by far, the most promising place for a child is in a home featuring an intact marriage “whereas the findings overwhelming show that most dangerous place, the most impoverished place, and the place most devastating for a child’s future is being under a cohabiting but unmarried relationship."
Feminism, secularism, communism have all had the most tragic consequences on modern society but, most of all, through the destructive impact they have had on families. The argument, buttressed by loads of documented studies covering all angles, is irrefutable. But yet Fagan has tremendous hope that things can change -- a hope founded on the wisdom and grace of God. For as clear as the evidence is of the damage wrought to individuals and society by broken homes, the evidence is just as cogent that religious reformation in the home can bring not only a new optimism and new programs of successful change but also healing from past mistakes.
A detailed presentation, strongly argued and convincingly illustrated by visuals showing remarkable social science data now available to all concerned from the Heritage Foundation's new resource, www.familyfacts.org , Fagan’s opening session was a truly superb and helpful one.
