Re: "Family values"

[Andrew Wayne Austin <aaustin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

One of the arguments against affirmative action is that it creates
resentment among white workers. However, the problem with resentment is
white workers failing to (a) understand why it is important to restrict
their privilege and (b) a general lack of understanding about issues of
social justice, real equity, objective interests, and so forth.

While it may not be in the selfish preference of a childless worker to
support in some fashion children, just as it is not in the selfish
preference of a white male worker to support the advancement of a black
woman, it is in the objective interests of the species that offspring are
born and it is in the objective interests of the working class that those
children who are born are born healthy, have parents who can dedicate time
to them, and have homes where there is proper nutrition and a safe and
nurturing environment.

This goal of supporting children is a societal one. To judge whether
children should have more than adults without children on the basis of the
possible resentment of childless adults is analogous to judging whether
identifying the race of job applicants is proper on the basis of whether
white males resent it. White males need to get over their resentment. We
don't cater to them. And whether it is widespread that childless adults
resent parents (I assume the premise for the sake of argument), the
problem lies with those who resent parents, not with the children or the
parents of those children. Selfish motives and preferences should not be
entertained.

Andy