Conservative definitions of family are social engineering

Family First, the latest theocratic party to enter parliament, has succeeded in getting the Prime Minister to append “Family Impact Statements” to all future bills on social and economic policy. But how will family be defined for this purpose?

In reality, it doesn’t matter a fig. If an adult or adult couple is raising a child or children - they are family. It’s not gender or sexuality that defines a family, but the demonstration of love, commitment, care and nurturing that goes into raising children. This includes single parent families, blended families, de facto couples, married couples, foster parents and same-sex couples. It doesn’t matter what definition we use, what matters is how we treat people and their offspring with government policy and financial support.

If a single mum is raising a child, does it advantage anyone if she is refused family support because she is single? If a blended family is raising children, does it advantage anyone that they be refused a family tax break because they aren’t married? If a same-sex couple is raising children, does it advantage anyone to deny that couple family rates for Medicare? The reality is that whenever a government policy removes social support and financial advantages to children on the basis of their parents’ relationship status, then it’s the kids who suffer.

This issue isn’t just symbolic. It’s not a gay rights issue or a culture war. It’s about recognising existing family structures and responding to them with appropriate government help and services. “Family Groups” don’t seem to understand that, or to even care about it.

It’s not the gay community or single mums who are engaging in “social engineering” with their demand that governments respond to the reality of their lives and families. It is the so-called “Family Groups” which are trying to impose an inflexible, unrealistic and ideologically-based definition of family structure on millions of Australians who are either unable or unwilling to fit into this “socially engineered” straight jacket.