Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[TALA]

What is the meaning of "family values"?
Can you please give examples and how to use it?

Thank you

[CP]

Dear Tala,

Your question is simple, but the answer is not. That is probably why no one has replied. My answer may not be correct or complete, and maybe (or likely) other people will disagree. If they do, I hope they will add their comments, too.

Values might be thought of as things that people believe and place value in, things that people try to adhere to, standards of belief or behavior to live up to.

Family values might include some or all of these things: Marriage is good. People should get married and stay together, as they promise to do with they get married. Married people should have children and raise them together, teaching them what is right and good, and encouraging them to be good citizens. Families should do things together. Family members should be helpful and supportive of each other, should encourage each other to learn and do what is right and good, should help each other in difficult times.

There probably is no single definition of "family values" that everyone would be satisfied with, but as a catch-phrase, it is pretty good, because it sounds as though it means something specific even though it does not. Therefore, it can mean whatever you want it to mean.

Politicians like to portray themselves to voters as patriotic, upstanding, solid citizens. They want the voters to think of them as good family men, just and upright, sharing the same values and beliefs as the voters. They like to pose for pictures with their wives and children, all nicely dressed and with wholesome smiles on their faces, standing near flags and/or nice houses. These pictures convey the impression that the politicians are just as trustworthy and likable as they tell you they are. The pictures and advertisements tell you, sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly, that the politicians share your values, and that they believe in and adhere to family values.

In the United States, it has unfortunately become more and more common for politicians to demonize their opponents, calling them evil, either directly or indirectly, for disagreeing with them. This saves them the trouble of actually debating issues, discussing problems to seek solutions. My opponent disagrees with our position, which is the only right opinion to have, so he is evil, so don't listen to him. Listen to me instead.

In the U.S.A., the Republican party has pretty much defined "family values" to mean only two things: being in favor of banning abortion, and being against gay marriage.

In the U.S.A., abortion is legal in certain situations. But most Republicans are against abortion, and they want abortion made illegal. Whenever it is discovered that a prominent opponent of abortion had an abortion when she was younger, she always says that she made a mistake. But now no one else should make that mistake. Many want it outlawed under all circumstances, even when the mother's life is in danger. Most Democrats believe that abortion should not be made illegal, because there are cases where abortion is medically necessary. Also, where abortion is not legally available, dangerous illegal abortions are performed anyway. Republicans are in favor of state laws banning abortion, but time after time the Supreme Court has struck down those laws as unconstitutional. Republicans are hopeful that the two recent Bush appointees to the Supreme Court will help change the outcome in similar cases in the future. Meanwhile, anyone who is "pro choice" (to use the "pro choice" people's term) is "against family values," according to the Republicans, who call themselves "pro life."

The gay marriage movement is growing in the U.S.A. and elsewhere, and most Democrats are in favor of it, or at least they are not against it. The idea is that a committed gay couple should get the same benefits and blessings of marriage as any straight couple. Live and let live. Most Republicans are against gay marriage, to the point where they want to change the Constitution to say that a marriage is a union between a man and a woman. So far, the effort to change the Constitution has failed. These Republicans (or many of them) believe that gay people made a choice to be gay, a bad choice, and if they wanted to, if they tried, they could be straight again. They believe that gay marriage threatens the fabric of society, and anyone who is in favor of gay marriage is "against family values."

So when you hear "family values" mentioned by a politician or a journalist or a loud, opinionated bully on TV pretending to be a journalist, it may be shorthand for "anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage," or it may mean something else entirely.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[TALA]

Dear CP,

I appreciate your answer very much. I don't think that "family values" will have such a hidden meaning.

Best regards,
TALA

[ClarissaMach]

CP,

Your comments are always sooo great. Please, never leave this forum!!!

Best Regards,
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Stormy Weather.

[CP]

What a nice thing to say, Ms. Clarissa! Blushing now ....
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[ClarissaMach]

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Stormy Weather.