Parents have seen a disturbing trend in the workings of the American government lately. Many recent cases have revoked the rights of parents for little reason or even for mere suspicions. Should the government succeed in removing the rights of parents nothing but social calamity will result. The rights of parents to govern their own children should not be questioned except in cases of extreme need.
A society of children raised without the guidance of loving parents would be a confused and dangerous society indeed. This was one main flaw in the system Hitler used to govern. Deference was given to the state rather than to parents or other loving guides. The elderly were despised rather than honored. The natural system was disregarded to feed the governing leaders' excessive need for power. The result was a ruined nation and calamity on a more horrendous scale than has been seen in the known history of the world.
Parental rights have been threatened recently by government officials who believe they are better judges of a child's needs than the child's own parents. In Texas, the government found it acceptable to forcibly remove over 400 children because of the place they lived and the religion they practiced. In California, the government has ruled that parents are not qualified to teach their own children. If this sort of governing is allowed to continue, parents will have little influence over their own children. The heartless discipline of the government will substitute the loving guidance of parents.
While government intervention is required at times to protect children from violent or neglectful parents, that intervention should be as limited as possible. It is impossible for an impartial judge with limited knowledge of a child's personality to determine what is best for the child. Parents, despite their many weaknesses, have one vital strength that should supersede any other claim for authority: they love their children. Because of this, parents should retain as much authority over their children as possible.
Love cannot be replaced. There is no greater ruler than the leader who loves his charges. Children will thrive better in such an environment, with all its imperfections, than in any other place. The rights of parents should be supported at all costs.
Parents are their children first teacher! Great article!