by Rebekah Geer

One of the proudest moments for a young mom or dad is hearing their baby utter what usually are its first words – “mama” or “dada.”  It’s a universal human experience – and while the words might sound a bit different depending on the language or culture, the meaning is just as consistent as the roles of mother and father have been.

But now, with the ascent of marriage redefiners comes the unfortunate fallout—necessitated by the change of definition— and that is the elimination of the words “mother” and “father.”   It’s happening just about everywhere where same-sex “marriage” has been legalized, but it’s more plainly obvious in France.  There, lawmakers seeking to adopt “gay marriage” also have stated their intent to prohibit the use of the words “mother” and “father” (well, actually “mère” and “père”) in all legal documents. 

The fact is, social science (and for that matter, common sense) has overwhelmingly shown the benefits of, and the distinctive roles that, mothers and fathers have in the lives of their children.  The Family Research Council website contains information and links making that case. 

However, as we see in the case of those promoting “gay marriage” in France, the redefinition of marriage has an impact far beyond the simple “allowing two people who love each other to marry – whatever their sex may be.”   As proponents of natural marriage have consistently argued, redefining marriage also means redefining the family unit, redefining parenthood and ultimately gravely impacting the well-being of children and society as a whole. Children deserve a mother and a father, and society should promote that goal.

A French commission established several years ago by Parliament concluded in 2006 after about a year of research that prohibiting gay marriage was in France’s best interest in order to “affirm and protect children’s rights and the primacy of those rights over adults’ aspirations.” 
The committee acknowledged that while French families are becoming more varied, homosexual marriages should be prohibited for the sake of children’s well-being. That commission fully understood that you cannot redefine marriage without impacting children, whatever politicians or special interests might tell us. 

Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, Archbishop of Lyon, states that “gay marriage would herald a complete breakdown in society.”  He’s right.  The elimination of the words “mother” and “father” in legal documents is symbolic of the pending decline of the vital roles of husband and wife, mother and father that those words symbolize.  Words have meaning – and when we are prohibited from using them, the particular thing they represent will be diminished and eventually destroyed as well.

Marriage and family is the cornerstone of society. Fathers and mothers have distinct and necessary roles in raising children.  Strong families mean strong communities, and strong communities mean a strong country.

Not long after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court imposed same-sex “marriage” on that Commonwealth in 2004, state-issued birth certificates were changed.  Originally listing the name of “mother” and “father,” the dawn of “gay marriage” made those distinct positions archaic or dated.  In their place are “Parent A” and “Parent B.”  I wonder what sort of reeducation will be needed to make babies say that as their first words.