Katy Faust On Why Policymakers Should Put Children First
Sep 24, 2024
auto_awesome
Katy Faust, founder and president of Them Before Us, discusses the urgent need for child-centric politics that prioritize the well-being of children. She critiques the current American education system's focus on adult identities and advocates for policies that protect kids' rights. Faust also highlights the clash between parental authority and government control in education, examining real-life advocacy examples. Additionally, she addresses the ethical challenges posed by reproductive technologies and the DEI movement, emphasizing the importance of putting children's needs first.
Policymakers must prioritize children's rights and needs above adult agendas to foster a more just and effective society.
The discussion highlights the hypocrisy of political figures who advocate for children while supporting policies that may harm their wellbeing.
Deep dives
The Importance of Centering Children in Politics
The discussion emphasizes the need to prioritize children in cultural and political conversations, arguing that decisions should be made with the best interests of children at the forefront. By adopting a child-centric perspective, policymakers can create more effective and beneficial outcomes for society. The argument posits that when children's rights and needs are considered, the resulting policies not only protect vulnerable populations but also advance overall societal health. This approach could lead to broader implications in various political arenas, fostering a culture that genuinely values children's welfare.
Critique of Existing Political Narratives
The dialogue addresses how many political figures and organizations claim to advocate for children while simultaneously promoting policies that adversely affect them. Certain political agendas that present themselves as child-centered are viewed as misguided or hypocritical, especially when they enact measures that compromise parental rights or children's safety. This inconsistency is highlighted through examples of policymakers who profess a commitment to children's interests yet back initiatives deemed harmful to their wellbeing. The conversation suggests that many leaders may either be oblivious to the implications of their actions or prioritize their agendas over authentic child advocacy.
Parental Rights and Child Protection
The discussion raises crucial questions about who truly encompasses the rights to make decisions regarding children and their upbringing. While parental rights are essential, there is a call to extend protections to all children, especially those who may not have parents capable of safeguarding their best interests. The complexities of current debates over medical interventions and educational content reflect a pressing need to reassess and reinforce the principle that children's rights and safety outweigh adult desires. This perspective advocates for a broader protective framework that checks parental rights when those rights may lead to harm.
Broadening the Lens of Accountability
The emphasis is on re-evaluating the accountability structures in place within both the public and private sectors, particularly regarding how they impact children. Issues like societal division fostered by DEI policies and the influence of corporations are scrutinized as potential avenues for child victimization under the guise of advocacy. There is a call for clearer narratives that connect policies and corporate practices to their real-world effects on children, urging for accountability that protects rather than endangers youth. Ultimately, the importance of reclaiming institutions and articulating a coherent, child-first ideology emerges as a larger goal for societal reform.
On this episode of "The Federalist Radio Hour," Katy Faust, founder and president of Them Before Us, joins Matt Kittle to explain how children across America are being victimized and outline how adults, especially those in power, can reorient policy to prioritize kids' rights above their own selfish desires.
You can find Faust's book Pro-Child Politics: Why Every Cultural, Economic, and National Issue Is a Matter of Justice for Childrenhere.
If you care about combatting the corrupt media that continue to inflict devastating damage, please give a gift to help The Federalist do the real journalism America needs.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode