The traditional famiy is in trouble. It seems clear the media, governments and other forces are working to deconstruct the family even to the point of re-defining gender.
You could hardly call the UN a friend of the traditional family after a recent statement by Arie Hoekman, a UN spokesman for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at an event in Mexico City. He was wasn't mincing words when he said the breakdown of the traditional family is a "triumph" for "human rights." Mr. Hoekman went on to affirm that the high rates of divorce and out-of-wedlock births are not a social crisis but should be considered triumphs for human rights against "patriarchy."
Thankfully the voice of sanity yet prevails and there are still powerful voices on behalf of the family. Pope John Paul II said "as the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live." Anne-Marie Ambert, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at York University was right when she said "You very rarely have a very serious criminal who comes from a good, two parent family....."
Mr. Hoekman and the enemies of the family choose to ignore the mountain of evidence clearly showing the emotional, social and financial costs of family breakdown. The family remains the keystone of society and most Canadians understand this. Successful nations and strong communities are built with healthy families. We need to honor the sacred roles of fathers, mothers, and children for their contribution to a strong Canada.
Gerald Hall
Parksville, B.C.
