document updated 12 years ago, on Jan 10, 2012
Cover for perpetuating prejudice
"Family values" is at least sometimes cover for homophobia, transphobia, racism, and monosexism. And I suspect it's cover for others too (classism, sexism, etc).
- homophobia
The unavailablility of marriage or adoption means that gay people are barred from forming anything like a nuclear family.
- transphobia
Trans folks are often biologically unable to procreate due to HRT, or are unwilling to procreate due to high gender dysphoria. Government limitations put on them regarding marriage and adoption is similar to that of gay folks.
- racism and classism
"Family values" often equates to "single-parent familes are bad", which is often reduced to "single black mothers on welfare are bad". The focus on race allows those in power to support their preconceived notions about certain groups of people, and not examine things in terms of systemic roadblocks.
[1]
Criticism of "family values" directly