Opinion: How traditional a family?
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When conservative politicians talk about the ‘traditional family,’ it’s usually by way of denouncing same-sex marriage. But former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania (though no supporter of marriage equality) uses the concept for another purpose: to critique contemporary child-rearing practices.
In 2005, Santorum was criticized for suggesting in his book ‘It Takes a Family’ that working women should give up their jobs and stay at home with the kids.
Actually, the offending passage was gender-neutral: ‘In too many families with young children both parents are working when, if they took an honest look at the budget, they might confess that both of them don’t need to, or at least may not need to work as much as they do.’
But elsewhere in the book Santorum assails feminists for their ‘misogynistic crusade to make working outside the home the only marker of social value and self-respect.’ Obviously the target of that ‘crusade’ is women.
The idea that mothers are superior caregivers for young children is politically incorrect these days, but it’s widely held by the social conservatives to whom Santorum appeals. Will he be willing to give voice to it on the campaign trail?
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-- Michael McGough
