79-09-B7
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The Family
TranscriptMany people are concerned today about what seems to be an erosion of the family structure. Articles have been written suggesting that the rising incidence of crime, the drug culture and the increase in illegitimate births is evidence of the family's deterioration. I only mention that by way of introduction to today's topic which has to do with the nomination of the federal judge. The President has submitted the name of Patricia Wald as his appointee to the U.S . Circuit Court for the District of Columbia. This particular judicial post is considered by many to be the most influential Federal tribunal besides the Supreme Court itself. And since judicial rulings often become what is known as "case law," it is interesting to note some of the expressed views of the nominee to this important bench. Ms. Wald in a 1974 article on the rights of youth suggested that childhood has been seriously compared to slavery. Now I'll admit to remembering a few hot summer afternoons when my father had reminded me it was my turn to mow the lawn (my brother and I shared that task) that I could have been persuaded I was the victim of enforced bondage. But from my present vantage point that and other chores like carrying out the ashes seem little enough in return for what my parents had to put up with. Some of Ms. Wald's suggestions for removing the slave chains from our children would do very little to restore the family as a unit in our social fabric. True, she proposes that every young child has the right to be consulted and informed about critical decisions in his or her life. I think many of us as parents will admit to sometimes not involving our children as much as we should in discussions about things affecting them. But I also think most parents know that when we do, after the discussion is over the final executive decision is ours to make. Ms. Wald however doesn't see it that way. She argues or at least did in 1974 that, "the child's interests deserve representation by an independent advocate before a neutral decision-maker." That does evoke a warm family picture. Dinner is over, Mom and Pop are in the living room and the door bell rings. Junior says, "that's my advocate about this summer camp business. " He lets him in, the parents introduce themselves and then present their case. The advocate listens and proposes (maybe) a compromise solution acceptable to his client -- their little boy. According to the President's nominee for the judgeship, "A youth ought to be able to seek legal advice or help to redress his grievances against family, school or others who adversely affect him ... a child or youth should have access to free or paid legal services on a confidential basis to discuss his personal grievances..." To top it off it is proposed that adolescents should be able to seek medical or psychiatric care on their own. "This option", she says, "will become economically possible," when we have a nationalized health program. That's good because it will be Mom and Pop who'll need to visit a shrink. This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening. |
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