Part One, American Government and U.S. Constitution

Lesson 25: Protecting the Role of the Family

(Principle 26)	Name: _______________________

Part II: The Founders' Basic Principles –	28 Great Ideas that Changed the World

Lesson 25 Time: 37:36 [for Sunday, August 31, 2014]

The 5000 Year Leap: 26th Principle, Reading Assignment: (pages 281-288);

Protecting the Role of the Family

Lesson objectives: As a result of this lesson, the student should be able to discuss the following questions/topics:

1. According to Alexis de Tocqueville, how did family life in America differ from family life in Europe during the 1830s? (Pages 281-82)

A Family-Centered Culture

o deToqueville: (quote)

- European family life:

- Turbulence in society comes from home (problems)

- Wants to forget troubled home life [so agitates while at work]

-American family life

- marriage is respected

- Home is a refuge from turmoil of society

- Carries love of order from home into society

2. How are men and women equal under God's law? What did John Locke say to support this position? (282-83)

Equality of Men and Women

o Biblical law of "differential equality"

o Role of Man [as a king]

- protect and provide

- decision-making for the family

- voted for the family

o Role of Woman [as a queen]

- Bring children into family

- Strengthen the family environment

- Nurture and teach children

Locke [p.283]

o Scripture teaches equality (quote)

- Paternal authority should be called parental authority [that is, both should share]

3. How did the lifestyle of early American families contribute to their success? (283-84)

o [Wallace Notestein: husband to honor his wife "with due regard." OT & NT commands

- even to make financial compensation.]

4. Is Benjamin Franklin a legitimate source of advice on happy family life? Why? (284-85)

Benjamin Franklin on Marriage

5. How did Franklin attempt to persuade a young friend to get married? (285)

o Counsel to friend wanting to take a mistress

- Marriage is the proper remedy

- A single man resembles an odd half of a pair of scissors

[Yes, he a great source for advice, and was not true he had 13 illegitimate children]

6. Explain why parental authority is based on natural law. (285-86)

o Authority of parents over children is natural law concept (quote)

- teach and care for 'till reason shall take its place'

7. According to Locke, what is the meaning of maturity? (286-87)

o When is one mature? (P 286)

- when he knows the bounds of his actions by the law he is required to live under

[- when a parent and a child are equally free under the law]

8. What is the responsibility of children to their parents? Does it have roots in natural law? (287)

o Responsibility of children to parents:

- perpetual obligation to honor

- no state can absolve children of this duty

- government must not interfere with parents

9. Why did Locke say that no government should interfere with legitimate family relations? (287-88)

[o special aspect to honoring parents:

- for children caring for their parents when they can't care for themselves]