Harry Brighouse and Adam Swift
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691126913
- eISBN:
- 9781400852543
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691126913.003.0003
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Political Philosophy
The family is justified because it produces certain goods that would otherwise not be available, or, in some cases, would be much more difficult to produce. These goods—familial relationship ...
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The family is justified because it produces certain goods that would otherwise not be available, or, in some cases, would be much more difficult to produce. These goods—familial relationship goods—are enjoyed by children and by the adults who are their parents. This chapter focuses on the goods it produces for children, arguing that their interests are such as to support the claim that children have a right to be raised by parents—in families. First, it defines what we mean by children and childhood. It then explains what interests are, and describes the interests that children may have. Next, it makes the argument that children have a right to a parent, which involves three claims: children have rights; children are appropriate objects of paternalistic care; and for a child's vital interests to be met, she must be cared for, consistently, by only a small number of people. The chapter goes on to discuss how a biological connection between parent and child relates to our account of children's right to a parent, and concludes by looking, briefly, at the implied duty to parent.Less
The family is justified because it produces certain goods that would otherwise not be available, or, in some cases, would be much more difficult to produce. These goods—familial relationship goods—are enjoyed by children and by the adults who are their parents. This chapter focuses on the goods it produces for children, arguing that their interests are such as to support the claim that children have a right to be raised by parents—in families. First, it defines what we mean by children and childhood. It then explains what interests are, and describes the interests that children may have. Next, it makes the argument that children have a right to a parent, which involves three claims: children have rights; children are appropriate objects of paternalistic care; and for a child's vital interests to be met, she must be cared for, consistently, by only a small number of people. The chapter goes on to discuss how a biological connection between parent and child relates to our account of children's right to a parent, and concludes by looking, briefly, at the implied duty to parent.
Harry Brighouse and Adam Swift
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- September 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780226012629
- eISBN:
- 9780226012933
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226012933.003.0010
- Subject:
- Education, Philosophy and Theory of Education
This chapter begins by explaining the role of philosophy in evaluating education policy. It then summarizes a theory of what is valuable about the family, introducing the idea of “familial ...
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This chapter begins by explaining the role of philosophy in evaluating education policy. It then summarizes a theory of what is valuable about the family, introducing the idea of “familial relationship goods,” which yields an account of the kind of rights parents have with respect to their children. Subsequent sections set out the implications of this view, specifically with respect to parents' rights to shape their children's values and to confer advantage on them. The chapter emphasizes the limits of those rights while also considering how policymakers might best promote an optimal balance of values—including “family values”—in circumstances in which many believe those rights are extensive.Less
This chapter begins by explaining the role of philosophy in evaluating education policy. It then summarizes a theory of what is valuable about the family, introducing the idea of “familial relationship goods,” which yields an account of the kind of rights parents have with respect to their children. Subsequent sections set out the implications of this view, specifically with respect to parents' rights to shape their children's values and to confer advantage on them. The chapter emphasizes the limits of those rights while also considering how policymakers might best promote an optimal balance of values—including “family values”—in circumstances in which many believe those rights are extensive.
