Katy Faust, an advocate for children's rights and co-author of a pivotal book on pro-child politics, joins Josh Wood, co-founder of Them Before Us, to discuss the pressing need for a child-centered approach in today's political landscape. They argue that government should prioritize children's well-being, challenging the current hedonistic culture. Topics include the importance of family stability, the role of parental resilience, and ways individuals can foster a pro-child perspective to advocate for systemic changes that prioritize youth welfare.
The podcast asserts that a child-first approach to governance is essential for addressing the negative impact of adult-centric policies on vulnerable children.
Katy Faust and Josh Wood emphasize the importance of defining and safeguarding children's natural rights, distinct from adult-defined desires, to ensure their well-being.
Personal storytelling is highlighted as a powerful tool for advocating children's rights, effectively illustrating the real-life impacts of socio-political decisions.
Deep dives
The Impact of a Changing Worldview
The abandonment of a Christian worldview is discussed as a significant factor contributing to contemporary societal issues, particularly in how adults interact with children. The speaker emphasizes that this ideological shift has led to a culture of hedonism, causing children to bear the brunt of adult decisions in complex areas like sex, marriage, and relationships. It is argued that Christianity, rather than being seen as oppressive, provided essential guidance and structure that benefited societal wellbeing. The consequences of discarding these values highlight the urgent need to realign societal perspectives and responsibilities towards children.
Pro-Child Advocacy and Its Relevance
The podcast highlights the importance of advocating for children's rights, especially as related to the decision-making of adults in various contexts. It introduces the organization Them Before Us, which focuses on protecting the rights of children to have both a mother and a father. The discussion underscores a shift away from child-centric policies towards adult preferences, with examples showing how children often pay the price for adult choices. By framing children’s needs as paramount, the organization seeks to create a movement that prioritizes children's rights in political discussions about marriage, family, and beyond.
The Book: Pro-Child Politics
A new book, Pro-Child Politics, authored by Katie Faust and Josh Wood, aims to connect various societal issues to children's rights. The book is structured around 19 chapters, each focusing on different political and cultural issues through the lens of child welfare. The authors have collaborated with experts to highlight how adult-centric policies adversely impact children's wellbeing, and how reform can occur by prioritizing children's needs. The goal is to foster a deeper understanding of how issues like education, family structure, and national security can benefit from a child-first perspective.
Rethinking Natural Rights
The concept of natural rights is clarified in the podcast, focusing on children's rights and their distinction from social and adult-defined rights. The emphasis is placed on how true natural rights arise from recognizing and safeguarding the fundamental needs of children, which include love, stability, and security from both parents. The discussion critiques the modern tendency to conflate desires with rights, advocating instead for a cohesive definition of what constitutes a child's natural rights. By ensuring adults fulfill their responsibilities, the authors argue for a protective framework that prioritizes children over adult desires.
Personal Stories and Societal Change
The importance of personal storytelling in advocating for children's rights is emphasized as an effective way to connect emotionally with broader issues. The book encourages authors to open their chapters with real-life accounts illustrating the impact of socio-political decisions on children’s lives. By sharing tangible stories of those affected, the authors aim to create a compelling narrative that resonates with readers and encourages action. This approach helps to bridge gaps in understanding by humanizing complex social issues and reinforcing the need for a pro-child perspective in every political discussion.
One of the primary, God-given roles of governing authorities is to protect its weakest citizens. This especially means a government must structure a society where vulnerable children can thrive. Does your government truly prioritize the needs of children? It’s time to bring back the Biblical model of authority, where the strong humbly serve the weak. Join us for the amazing opportunity to hear from Katy Faust and Josh Wood from Them Before Us, as they share about their new book, Pro-Child Politics: Why Every Cultural, Economic, and National Issue Is a Matter of Justice for Children. Their book paints a picture of what a child-before-adult approach would look like in 19 key political issues of our day.
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