Economic Realities, the Family, and You
Many families around the world find themselves struggling these days in the face of global economic recession. Struggling to meet the daily requirements of feeding spouses and children, providing a safe and comfortable dwelling, and ensuring an education more likely to provide the younger generation with the tools necessary for economic self-reliance, are proving a significant burden to families everywhere.
In under-developed nations, this struggle is a constant. Most citizens of such nations know little of the concepts of economic “recession” or “depression”. There is merely reality. The long term prospect of hard work to provide the means necessary for life overshadows all they do. Yet, there is one universal institution that is best structured to help provide aid in achieving economic progress: the family. We at United Families International are always amazed that during UN dialogue on international aid to developing countries, the important role of the family is usually ignored. There are many factors that enter into economic development. But supporting stable married families – giving them the tools to successfully rear their children while they build vibrant, healthy businesses and communities – is an essential part of the path to economic prosperity. History purports it, social science supports it.
In more developed economies, economic adversity can look different. In countries like the United States, Canada, and the nations of the European Union, most of the so-called “poor” have homes, provided through ownership, rental, or government aid. Most have luxuries such as television, cell phones, and automobiles, achieved through employment or procured through government assistance. In such nations, we find that the breakdown of the family is often evident. Government aid has replaced the requirement that families work together. It has also replaced absentee fathers in many aspects of economic self-reliance. Yet, this truth remains: Governments can never afford nor create enough social programs to offset the disastrous consequences of family breakdown.
The laws of economics are in most instances like the laws of physics. They are hard to break and the consequences of trying tend to hurt someone. So it is with the current global recession. This recession was triggered in a complex manner by overspending on the parts of governments around the world. Often times described as “well meaning” programs providing economic support of various kinds to citizens, whether economically productive or not, have created insatiable demand for more and more. This demand has outstripped the ability of various national economies to perform. Debates will rage on the political causes and effects. But the negative impact on families in every nation on earth is obvious.
The political leadership of many nations has awakened to the reality of trying to defy the laws of economics. They propose belated austerity measures aimed at correcting the overspending frenzy. In reality, one of the best policies for promoting positive economic activity is to promote the family. Removing anti-family, anti-life policies that promote abortion, euthanasia, sexual rights, homosexual marriage, and co-habitation – and replacing them with policies that shore up the natural family and promote marriage – should also be part of a long-term economic stimulus package.
A great place to cut back
Additional specific spending reductions are available to nations that provide significant financial support to the United Nations and its anti-family programs. The United States, Canada, Japan, and the European Union are the largest contributors to UN programs that undermine the family, promote a culture of death, and coerce under-developed nations to destroy their own pro-life and pro-family cultures in exchange for economic aid.
We at United Families International battle with these programs and their advocates in various governments and non-governmental organizations (NGO) daily. Many NGOs profit greatly from these UN programs and work tirelessly to ensure that they benefit financially. If government leaders are looking for funds to save, this is a great place to start.
For instance, the U.S. government can refuse to fund policies and programs affiliated with the Mexico City policy providing abortions in nations around the world at taxpayer expense. Remove funding in domestic programs for Planned Parenthood and other groups that provide abortions and contraceptives while promoting sexual promiscuity designed to create a vicious circle of abortions, and massive profits for themselves. It can also deny funding for UN programs that achieve similar results. Additionally, it must decouple offers of economic aid from the surrender of national sovereignty and cultural independence.
But it is not enough for the U.S. alone to act. Too often other nations, particularly the European Union, have increased their contributions to anti-family programs and groups to compensate for reduced contributions from other nations. As citizens of these nations, please renew your objections to these policies while governments study austerity(?) options in reforming their economies.
What can you do?
Renew your commitment to your family. A nation can rise no higher than the strength of its homes. Where strong homes and families exist, character is built that sustains cultural prosperity and success. Tremendous amounts of social data show that when homes are broken and dysfunctional, society suffers socially, educationally, and financially. Likewise, strong families are our greatest protection against the loss of liberty and quality of life.
Strengthen your marriage. Marriage is the bedrock of family and society. The union of the sexes forms a family that creates, nurtures, mentors and sustains the next generation. The future of civilization rests in the arms of capable mothers and father who anchor a marriage, bear children, and build their lives upon proven concepts.
Volunteer, join, and financially contribute to organizations that monitor high level appointments, cases and policy conferences, and fight distant, unreported battles for you. These battles cannot be fought effectively alone. United Families International is committed to being your voice for protecting the family in these battle fields.
What will United Families International do?
In our continued commitment to protect the family from harmful policy emanating from the UN system, UFI representatives (many of them experienced volunteers) will be in New York at each of the major UN commissions and meetings. Here’s a partial list:
Commission for Social Development (CSD), Feb. 9-18
This year’s UN efforts toward “Social Development” include preparations for the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family and discussion regarding Disabled Persons. We also anticipate crafting pro-family language for insertion in an outcome document and monitoring two other resolutions – one that has “family” as its topic. We’re expecting a renewed battle over the definition of “family.”
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), Feb. 22-March 4
This year’s theme is a focus on gender, education, science and technology, and employment. As usual for CSW, we expect major pushed for sexual rights, gay rights, and reproductive health rights (abortion). Unfortunately, we expect that the U.S. delegation to continue to promote an anti-family agenda, making our work that much more important yet difficult.
Commission on Population Development (CPD), April 11-15
Although CPD is run by the more technically minded, supposedly less political 2nd Committee, the CPD meetings have progressively taken on a more radical tone. This year’s theme of “Fertility, Reproductive Health and Development” is sure to bring an even stronger push for population control measures with a spotlight on sexual and abortion rights. The UN demographers team up with radical feminists and the result is a major assault on life and family.
Conclusion
United Families International has been working at the UN in defense of life and family for close to 20 years! Our experienced family advocates work literally around the clock during these meetings. UFI’s UN Negotiating Guide sees a lot of action during these weeks. All of our years of experience come into play as we work for you and your family during this critical time. Watch for our UFI Alerts and follow the UFI blog to stay abreast of what is occurring. Give us your input too.
During this time we also have to ask for your financial help. Sustaining this effort in New York is very expensive. We conserve everywhere we can, but we still have to get there and then have a place to sleep (although as I said, we don’t do much of that!). We welcome whatever amount you feel like you can sacrifice to help this important effort.