Post by Hank Goodwin on Dec 31, 2005 2:59:13 GMT -5
Goodwin Keynote Speaker at Family PAC Fundraiser
(Major Fundraiser)
Representative Hank Goodwin (R-KS) delivered the keynote speech at a Washington D.C. fundraiser for Family PAC, speaking of the importance on the traditional family:
"It was once considered common sense that family mattered. There was little question that the traditional family was ideal, providing mutual support between parents and a stable environment in which to raise children. Now, however, the traditional family is increasingly dismissed as a nice idea whose usefulness has passed. Some now propose that the desire of adults for families of choice is of the utmost importance, and that children will simply cope with whatever families we may decide to throw them in.
"This emerging redefinition of family is simply wrong. Thousands of scientific studies have been conducted on the family in the last three decades, and these studies have shown the unique quality of the traditional family. Child Trends concluded, 'Research clearly demonstrates that family structure matters for children, and the family structure that helps the most is a family headed by two biological parents in a low-conflict marriage...There is thus value for children in promoting strong, stable marriages between biological parents.' The Urban Institute adds, "Even among the poor, material hardships were substantially lower among married couple families with children than among other families with children...The marriage impacts were quite huge, generally higher than the effects of education.' And the Center for Law and Social Policy concurs that "Research indicates that, on average, children who grow up in families with both their biological parents in a low-conflict marriage are better off in a number of ways than children who grow up in single-, step-, or cohabiting-parent households.' These are all nonprofit research organizations that have come to these conclusions about families based on solid science.
"Given this, it is crucial for the United States government to devote itself to supporting the traditional family. As the traditional family arises out of marriage, this underscores our need to support the institution of marriage so as to encourage the creation of these families that represent the ideal arrangement for children. Marriage is the fundamental institution of our nation, and it is time for our government to take positive steps to enact the will of the people and protect this institution which serves as the foundation of our free republic."
Goodwin further addressed the controversial issue of abortion, also placing it within the context of family:
"As the abortion debate becomes increasingly polarized, it seems to me that there is an overlooked middle ground. We must recognize that many of the motvies behind seeking an abortion are the same ones that marriage and the family seek to counteract. While we can and should seek some common sense restrictions on abortions, such as prohibiting partial birth abortions and mandating parental consent for minors, we must also view abortion as a failure of family. The best and least polarizing way to combat abortion may therefore be through further support of the family. This is yet another reason why we all must continue the fight for the American family."
(Major Fundraiser)
Representative Hank Goodwin (R-KS) delivered the keynote speech at a Washington D.C. fundraiser for Family PAC, speaking of the importance on the traditional family:
"It was once considered common sense that family mattered. There was little question that the traditional family was ideal, providing mutual support between parents and a stable environment in which to raise children. Now, however, the traditional family is increasingly dismissed as a nice idea whose usefulness has passed. Some now propose that the desire of adults for families of choice is of the utmost importance, and that children will simply cope with whatever families we may decide to throw them in.
"This emerging redefinition of family is simply wrong. Thousands of scientific studies have been conducted on the family in the last three decades, and these studies have shown the unique quality of the traditional family. Child Trends concluded, 'Research clearly demonstrates that family structure matters for children, and the family structure that helps the most is a family headed by two biological parents in a low-conflict marriage...There is thus value for children in promoting strong, stable marriages between biological parents.' The Urban Institute adds, "Even among the poor, material hardships were substantially lower among married couple families with children than among other families with children...The marriage impacts were quite huge, generally higher than the effects of education.' And the Center for Law and Social Policy concurs that "Research indicates that, on average, children who grow up in families with both their biological parents in a low-conflict marriage are better off in a number of ways than children who grow up in single-, step-, or cohabiting-parent households.' These are all nonprofit research organizations that have come to these conclusions about families based on solid science.
"Given this, it is crucial for the United States government to devote itself to supporting the traditional family. As the traditional family arises out of marriage, this underscores our need to support the institution of marriage so as to encourage the creation of these families that represent the ideal arrangement for children. Marriage is the fundamental institution of our nation, and it is time for our government to take positive steps to enact the will of the people and protect this institution which serves as the foundation of our free republic."
Goodwin further addressed the controversial issue of abortion, also placing it within the context of family:
"As the abortion debate becomes increasingly polarized, it seems to me that there is an overlooked middle ground. We must recognize that many of the motvies behind seeking an abortion are the same ones that marriage and the family seek to counteract. While we can and should seek some common sense restrictions on abortions, such as prohibiting partial birth abortions and mandating parental consent for minors, we must also view abortion as a failure of family. The best and least polarizing way to combat abortion may therefore be through further support of the family. This is yet another reason why we all must continue the fight for the American family."