By: Eileen Griffin, Ph.D.
We once assumed that parental rights were undeniable. The primary role of the parent was to raise the child and the child was expected to be respectful and obedient. It was assumed that parents had the authority to make decisions for their children.
Children were raised with the values and traditions of the parents and grandparents. They were steeped in the history of the generations that paved the way before them. Over time, leftist policies have chipped away at the firm foundation of the family and the history and tradition of a nation.
Any politician running for office in 2023 or 2024 would be wise to be aware of this trend and have a position statement on the topic of parental rights. Particularly in states such as Washington where the government is directly challenging the authority of the parents, a position is crucial.
Election 2022
In 2022, there was a surge of conservate candidates winning school board seats across the country as parents became enraged at what was being taught to their children. Nine school boards in six states voted to put conservatives in charge of education.
In Florida, 24 new candidates emerged victorious promoting parental rights and other pro-family policies. Education was front and center not just for the school board races, but for the Governor’s race which saw Ron DeSantis (R) winning easily with an education agenda.
De Santis has continued his pro-parent agenda and governed as a leader who prioritizes education and traditional family values.
“Parents’ rights have been increasingly under assault around the nation, but in Florida we stand up for the rights of parents and the fundamental role they play in the education of their children,” DeSantis said in a press release. “Parents have every right to be informed about services offered to their child at school and should be protected from schools using classroom instruction to sexualize their kids as young as 5 years old.”
Virginia Governor Glen Youngkin (R) can attribute much of his success in the 2022 election to parents. Groups of moms and dads across the state demanded a change to policies that undermined the family, divided children by race, and sought to take authority away from parents.
Shortly after he was elected Youngkin removed Critical Race Theory (CRT) from all schools in the state of Virginia. He continues to support parents’ rights and has made it clear that he would not subject the majority of students to uncomfortable, or dangerous, situations to accommodate the few transgender students.
Next Steps
The gains made by conservative politicians in 2022 should serve as momentum for candidates running in 2023 and 2024. Candidates should speak confidently about their commitment to family, children, and parental rights. Avoiding from these issues in an attempt to appear moderate may be futile at this point. The battle lines are drawn. Candidates need to be clear which side they are on.