For thousands of years, the nuclear family has served as the institution that builds up and preserves successful societies. In Genesis, God ordained it by creating Adam and Eve and instructing them to “be fruitful, and multiply and fill the Earth.”
Since our nation’s founding, a family consisting of a husband and wife with children has been the ideal that most Americans strive for because it’s common sense and because it works. The evidence is undeniable: Kids who grow up with this familial structure are healthier, more successful at school and better behaved.
The nuclear family is under cultural pressure
It’s no surprise then that the Left and progressive corporations have waged an aggressive campaign to undermine this institution by promoting abortion and rejecting family values. Murdering preborn children is compassionate, pro-woman and necessary for success in the modern world, they say. At the same time, they’ve pushed gay pride rainbows, slogans and flags at grocery stores, banks, restaurants and practically every other business run by leftist investors and private equity firms.
The celebration of Pride Month has infiltrated nearly every aspect of our society, including children’s television programs. This June, a barrage of posts from kids’ shows geared toward those as young as 2 have posted celebrations of gay pride. Unfortunately, these themes are present in the shows as well, seeking to influence kids early, often without parents’ knowledge.
Examples from children’s television
For example, a 2019 episode of “Arthur” on PBS, which receives at least 15% of its revenue from taxpayers, features a homosexual wedding between two men. In a sing-along video, “Blue’s Clues” exposes children to gay pride parades, mentioning the “queer community,” including the transgender, bisexual and nonbinary identities. A voice actor portraying a lesbian on “Rugrats” explained in 2021 that the character is meant to serve as a “beacon for young queer people who may not have examples of that.”
When parents are off doing house chores and leave their kids in front of the television, they are being exposed to a sexualized agenda that intends to influence their innocent minds. This is unacceptable. No child should ever be exposed to content focused on sexual preferences.
It’s clear the nuclear family is under attack. It’s our responsibility to protect the values that help Tennessee prosper.
Tennessee’s response and policy approach
Over the past decade, the Volunteer State has led the nation in fighting back against the ideologies that seek to poison minds and harm kids. We’ve spearheaded efforts to preserve the traditional values that define Tennessee.
There’s no better way to honor our state’s heritage than by highlighting the contributions and success of the nuclear family. As other states celebrate Pride Month in June with inappropriate parades and nonstop propaganda, Tennessee became the first state this year to recognize Nuclear Family Month as the foundation of our society.
Why family structure still matters
No doubt, children who grow up with a present mother and father in the home have a better shot at being successful later in life. Fatherless families are much more likely to be poverty-stricken, and children from single-parent homes are twice as likely to suffer from mental health and behavioral problems.
This is not to say that children who grow up in single-parent homes can’t succeed. They absolutely can and do, especially in a state like Tennessee, which offers innovative career development programs, quality higher education options and a resilient economy. But we should encourage Tennesseans to provide what all children deserve: a stable home environment with a loving father and mother.
Origins and momentum of the resolution
When I passed this resolution at the request of a young East Tennessee State University student named Lakie Derrick, who is passionate about promoting traditional values, I had no idea the traction it would garner or the movement it would help inspire. Lakie, who authored the resolution passed by the General Assembly, is part of a growing number of young people across Tennessee and the United States who understand that our history and values are worth celebrating and passing on to future generations.
Since Gov. Bill Lee signed it into law, several other states have followed suit.
As the national mood continues to embrace traditionalism and stability over liberal ideology, Nuclear Family Month reflects a renewed focus on the values and beliefs that build strong communities.
There are currently no plans for a Nuclear Family Parade in Tennessee. Maybe next year.
State Rep. Bud Hulsey lives in Kingsport and represents District 2 in the General Assembly, which includes part of Sullivan County.