Intergenerational Justice, Extended and Redefined Families, and the Challenge of the Statist Paradigm

Abstract

This paper will explore the role that both past and future generations play, or should play, in policy and decision making today, a concept known as intergenerational justice. Extended families are an indispensable key to the success, or failure, of intergenerational justice. Attempts to redefine marriage will invariably redefine extended family. Redefining marriage to include same-sex couples and parentage to include same-sex partners will hinder the success of intergenerational justice.

Underlying the debates over extended families, same-sex marriage, and same-sex parents are the competing conceptions of statism (the artificial society created by the state) and familism (the natural society of the family). These concepts must work in harmony to balance the future of the family and achieve intergenerational justice. The paper will conclude noting the importance in respecting the boundaries between marriage, parenting, and extended families.

Keywords: intergeneration, justice, extended families, same-sex marriage, same-sex couples, same-sex parents, statism, redefine