to the editor responding to the paper’s silly editorial on the
traditional family. So, we’re publishing it here. Much more to
come in our renewed effort to push back on the conservative media
machine.– Kevin
In its recent editorial (“Obama’s
war on the traditional family”), the Washington Times
incorrectly stated that the Obama Administration is trying to
“reshape” and “undermine” the traditional family. The
administration is actually responding to cultural changes that have
been going on for decades.
Gone are the days of the Ozzie-and-Harriet definition of family
(which, in fact, never really existed). Single moms are raising
kids. Divorced couples are defining new ways to parent together.
Half a million children are in foster care, 120,000 of whom are
waiting to be adopted. And one million gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender people are having families.
That’s a good thing. The nation’s leading child welfare experts say
gay parents are good parents. Preventing gay and lesbian
individuals or couples from parenting because of their sexual
orientation, according to the Child Welfare League of America, “is
not in the best interest of children.”
What has not changed since the 1950s is that every good parent, gay
or straight, teaches their kids decency, honesty, integrity, and a
strong sense of morality. These are traditional values that all
families hold dear.
Jennifer Chrisler
Executive Director
Family Equality Council (Boston, MA