Family Government's Legitimacy

Date Written: 9/11/2022

Question: Write 250 words on this topic: “Is the Family a Legitimate Form of Government?” Defend your position.

Family government has been around since the beginning of civilization. It was the only form of government back when people just lived in clans/tribes, but is it still legitimate today? There are 4 main questions to ask when considering family government’s legitimacy today

Do families have the right to educate children?
Do families have the right to establish religion?
Do families have the right to discipline children?
Do families have the right of inheritance?

The old days where families could govern over other families is gone. Today we only have to look at the right of families to govern internally. This issue will become more prevalent as the civil government keeps trying to take control of families and individuals.

Education

The first issue that of families right to educate children is the most infringed on by civil government. Many years ago families were in charge of their children’s education. Back then most kids were educated at home a select few attended private schools. Today most families are no longer in control of the education of their children. Today most kids attend “free” public schools. In some countries it has even been required that parents send their children to public schools.

The civil government, now having control over most kids education, has indoctrinated them into being obedient government-loving citizens. This has resulted in the civil government taking more and more of our liberties over time. Fortunately, after many years of this families are waking up to it and many parents are starting to home-school their children. This issue is probably the most important. Families must retain the legitimate right to educate their children or the civil government will mold them to their will.

Religion

The second issue that of families right to establish religion isn’t infringed on as much by the civil government. Unlike education families have gotten more freedom here as time has gone on. In the old days civil governments would force certain religions on everyone. There were even many wars over religion. However, as time has gone on everyone has gotten more religious freedom. Today families get the option to choose which religion they want to follow.

That said, the same problem as with education arises here as well. Since, the civil government has control over the education of most children they can influence their religious beliefs contrary to the family’s wishes. Families should have control over their children’s religion because 99% of families want their children to be righteous. The civil government on the other hand doesn’t care as long as the kids grow up to love the government.

Discipline

The third issue is that of families right to discipline their children. Families have always had this right and always should. At the home civil government hasn’t meddled too much in this. However, once again the civil government meddles in the schools. Today public schools are becoming more about discipline than learning. Faculty in many public schools make children cowardly and submissive to a fault. This is once again all done in an effort to turn the children into obedient government-lovers. Parents should be responsible for making sure their children aren’t unruly monsters. When most parents discipline their children they don’t do it to such an extreme degree as the civil government. This is why families need to retain this right.

Inheritance

The final issue is that of families right of inheritance. The civil government is definitely infringing on this right. They do it in the form of very high estate taxes. For example, in my home state of New York they tax any money that I receive from my parents at 30-40%. This tax is unjust just like all the rest of them. Is it just for a random man who has a government title to steal portions of people’s inheritances? They have no ties to the families they steal from. No one thinks it’s just for a criminal to steal people’s inheritances. What makes it OK for people in the civil government to steal?

It only makes sense for the younger generation of a family to receive the possessions of the older generation when they are gone. They will most likely use it for the betterment of the family in some way. This is how it has been done since the beginning of civilization. Now the civil government is slowly taking this right as well. All in an effort to gain even more power.

In conclusion, families have always had the rights to decide education, religion, discipline, and inheritance. I know from personal experience that civil government mainly infringes on these rights in the public schools. Families act as one more barrier to civil government gaining total control. This is why they must retain their legitimate rights.