The phrase "family values" is often used in political discourse and public policy debates to promote traditional family structures and social norms that are seen as beneficial for society. This includes promoting heterosexual monogamy, respect for elders, and gender roles within families.
These definitions of "family values" often exclude LGBTQ+ individuals and their families, who may have different experiences and views on what constitutes a healthy family structure. This essay will explore how moral framing of "family values" serves to both include and exclude queer identities from national narratives and why it matters.
It's important to understand how "family values" can be used as a tool to uphold dominant ideologies and exclusionary practices.
When politicians talk about "protecting traditional family values," they often mean supporting policies such as banning same-sex marriage or preventing transgender people from accessing certain spaces. These policies reinforce the idea that there is one "normal" way to be a family, which excludes those who do not fit into this narrow definition. In addition, these policies also disproportionately affect marginalized communities, including racial minorities and single parents.
"family values" can also serve to include some queer individuals while excluding others. Some politicians and activists may argue that being gay or lesbian does not necessarily contradict traditional family values if one remains married to an opposite-sex partner. Similarly, some religious groups may argue that having children with same-sex partners does not contradict traditional family values if those couples commit to monogamy and raise their children in a loving environment.
These arguments still perpetuate harmful stereotypes and erase the lived experiences of many queer individuals and their families.
It's essential to recognize the power dynamics at play when discussing "family values." Many politicians and media outlets frame issues around "family values" in terms of protecting children and preserving society's morals, but this framing ignores the structural factors that shape families, such as poverty, access to healthcare, and education. By focusing on individual choices rather than systemic changes, policymakers can continue to perpetuate social inequality without addressing its root causes.
Moral framing of "family values" serves to both include and exclude queer identities from national narratives by promoting traditional ideologies and perpetuating harmful stereotypes about LGBTQ+ individuals. It is crucial for us to challenge these narratives and create more inclusive definitions of family that recognize the diversity of human experience.
How does the moral framing of “family values” serve to both include and exclude queer identities from national narratives?
"Family values" is a term that refers to certain standards of behavior within a family unit, often emphasizing traditional gender roles, heterosexuality, and conservative religious beliefs. This moral framing can be used to both include and exclude queer identities from national narratives. On one hand, it can be used to privilege families with traditional gender roles and sexual orientations as models of morality, thereby excluding those who do not fit these norms.