Article Summary –
The article discusses how far-right Republicans are attacking various aspects of family structure by promoting policies that undermine child care programs, penalize single parents, and make divorce more difficult, all while championing a narrow definition of family that excludes LGBTQ+ and non-traditional family models. Project 2025, a guidebook for the next Republican government, emphasizes the “ideal” family as a married man and woman with their biological children, a stance that alienates single-parent households, LGBTQ+ families, and other non-traditional structures. Despite some rhetoric suggesting support for families, actions by Republican lawmakers such as ending permanent alimony, blocking paid family leave, and proposing punitive measures against alternative family structures reveal a broader intent to impose conservative, traditional family norms on American society.
In November 1977, activists gathered in Houston for a rally organized by conservative leaders. The event featured speeches from right-wing figures like Phyllis Schlafly, who led the fight against the Equal Rights Amendment.
The rally, attended by more than 15,000 participants, condemned abortion, gay rights, and the ERA. Conservatives positioned themselves as defenders of traditional values, aligning with Focus on the Family, a group led by fundamentalist preacher James Dobson, a force in the anti-LGBTQ movement.
Today, the GOP’s “pro-family” agenda, endorsed by figures like Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance, aims to fracture modern American families. Project 2025, a guidebook for the next Republican government, states that “married men and women are the ideal natural family structure.
The Right-Wing Plot to Break Up Families
Project 2025 claims families with a married mother, father, and children are the foundation of society. This message alienates single-parent households, families adopting children, and LGBTQ+ families. According to a UCLA report, there are 2.6 million LGBTQ+ parents raising children. Republican efforts have coincided with a decline in support for same-sex marriage, fueled by opposition from Republican voters.
Legal experts warn that the US Supreme Court’s conservative majority may overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage. Red states like Florida and Texas are enacting laws to erase LGBTQ+ families in classrooms and beyond. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton attempted to remove minors receiving gender-affirming care from their parents, though a court blocked it.
Keeping Abused Women Submissive
Many Republicans aim to preserve traditional marriages, even miserable ones. Research shows that divorce reduces domestic violence and improves mental health. However, figures like Vance, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Speaker Mike Johnson suggest punitive measures like repealing no-fault divorce laws. DeSantis signed a bill ending “permanent alimony,” affecting women who left jobs to raise children.
Today, 21% of married opposite-sex couples have children from previous partners. Yet, Republicans often denigrate blended families, as seen with figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Empty Populist Posturing
Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, some GOP members have claimed to support families through subsidies. However, when voting on policies to aid families, they fall short. Vance mocked universal childcare, aligning with Project 2025’s attack on early childhood education. The GOP blocked Child Tax Credit expansion, and Vance didn’t vote.
At both national and state levels, Republicans oppose paid family leave programs. In Wisconsin, they stripped a paid family leave program from the budget, while Michigan Republicans released a statement condemning paid leave.
In 2021, Sen. Josh Hawley introduced a Parent Tax Credit prioritizing married couples over single parents. This proposal penalized the 18 million children living with single parents, focusing instead on promoting traditional family structures.
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