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"Family Policy Matters" – Archives 2006
Understanding Stem Cell Research
Although the issue of stem cell research is often the subject of emotional appeals and countless new stories, many people still don't understand what all the fuss is about. Our guest this week is Dr. David Prentice, senior fellow at the Center for Human Life and Bioethics at the Family Research Council. He will shed light on the ethical concerns surrounding this topic and explore the differences between embryonic and adult stem cell research. (December 30) mp3
The Benefits of Charter Schools
Though often shunned by the education establishment, charter schools have become a central part of education reform in states across the country including North Carolina. This week’s guest is Jeanne Allen, the president and founder of the Center for Education Reform. Jeanne will be talking about the advantages of charter schools and why North Carolina should remove its cap on the number of charter schools allowed in this state. (December 23) mp3
Religious Expression at Christmas
Confusion about the constitutional right of religious expression is particularly pronounced during the Christmas season, especially in public schools where some school officials have suppressed any mention of religion during the holiday. On this week’s program, Tami Fitzgerald, the staff attorney for the North Carolina Family Policy Council, will help to clarify what the law really says. Tami will be talking about the growing hostility toward the true meaning of Christmas in our society, why this hostility is unconstitutional, and what we can do about it here in North Carolina. (December 16) mp3
What Fathers Give Daughters—Part 2
This week’s program continues a discussion with Dr. Meg Meeker about the critical role that fathers play in the lives of their daughters, including how fathers teach problem solving and resistance to the damaging messages often conveyed in today’s culture. Dr. Meeker has spent 20 years in pediatric and adolescent medicine and counseling teens and parents. She is the author of the book “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know.” (December 8) mp3
What Fathers Give Daughters—Part 1
From the earliest years, a father plays a pivotal role in shaping the character and life of his daughter. In this first of two programs, Dr. Meg Meeker explains the unique qualities that fathers possess in raising and protecting daughters. Dr. Meeker has spent 20 years in pediatric and adolescent medicine and counseling teens and parents. She is the author of the book “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know.” (December 2) mp3
Understanding the HPV Vaccine
A new vaccine for some strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) has been receiving a lot of attention lately as concerns are being raised about requiring young girls to be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted disease. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. and is responsible for most cases of cervical cancer. This week’s guest is Linda Klepacki, the sexual health analyst for Focus on the Family. Linda will shed some light on what the HPV vaccine is and offer some key issues parent should take into account when considering whether to allow their child to get the HPV vaccine. (November 25) mp3
Raising Respectful Kids
Raising responsible and respectful children is a challenge for parents. Especially in a culture that has replaced teaching self-respect with emphasizing self-esteem. This week’s guest is Jill Rigby, founder of Manners of the Heart Community Fund and author of the book, “Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World.” On this program, Jill will discuss how parents can raise children who respect others and themselves, and offer them practical advice on how. (November 18) mp3
Marriage and the Law
Despite growing social-science evidence that points to the benefits of traditional marriage to both adults and children, many in the field of family law (judges, lawmakers and attorneys) continue to accept a growing diversity in family structures. On this week’s program, Maggie Gallagher, a noted scholar and author, will discuss “Marriage and the Law: A Statement of Principles,” which details the importance of preserving marriage in the law. Maggie will be discussing the document, which was signed by over 100 family law experts, along with the changing nature of family law and how to get it headed in the right direction. (November 11) mp3
Teens and Sex
Recently the CDC reported that the percentage of sexually experienced teenagers dropped 13 percent in the last 15 years. Several reasons for the decline were cited in the research, though the positive influence of abstinence-until-marriage education on reducing teen sex was not credited in the CDC’s report. This week Dr. Gary Rose, the president of the Medical Institute for Sexual Health, examines the research and the role that abstinence education has played in helping more teenagers postpone sexual activity. (November 4) mp3
Redefining Parenthood
Attempts to redefine marriage and advances in reproductive technology have begun to open the door to alternative definitions of parenthood, where children may have more than two legally recognized parents. This week’s guest, Elizabeth Marquardt, discusses this emerging trend and how it threatens the wellbeing of children. Elizabeth is the director of the Center for Marriage and Families at the Institute for American Values. (October 28) mp3
Home Schooling in North Carolina
The number of parents choosing to educate their children at home in North Carolina has been growing significantly over the years. And as home schools have become more numerous, so has the interest in the way this form of education works. This week’s guest is Ernie Hodges, the president of North Carolinians for Home Education. Ernie will explain what home schooling looks like in North Carolina and what is required to make it successful. (October 21) mp3
No-Fault Divorce
Years ago proponents of allowing a spouse a simple means of getting a divorce, known as no-fault divorce, promoted it as an ideal and humane way to end a marriage. However, the years have shown that no-fault divorce has detrimental effects on families, especially women and children. On this week’s program, the senior fellow of the Beverly LaHaye Institute, Dr. Janice Crouse explains no-fault divorce and how it has negatively impacted the family. (October 14) mp3
Why We Need a Marriage Amendment
For three years in a row, state marriage amendment legislation has been introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly, but no bill has ever been brought up for consideration —making North Carolina the only state in the South where efforts to pass a state constitutional amendment have consistently failed. This week’s guest, Dr. Matthew Spalding, will explain the purpose and importance of a state marriage amendment and why North Carolina needs to amend its state constitution to preserve the institution of marriage. Dr. Spalding is the director of the B. Kenney Simon Center for American Studies at the Heritage Foundation. (October 7) mp3
Commemorating 400 Programs
For almost eight years the North Carolina Family Policy Council has been broadcasting this weekly program across North Carolina to inform listeners about important public policy and family related issues. Recently “Family Policy Matters” reached a significant milestone—broadcasting its 400th program. To commemorate, we have pulled together portions of just a few of the many great interviews we have had over the years to share with our listeners. (September 30) mp3
Life Chain Sunday
Each year thousands of pro-lifers gather on the first Sunday in October to pray and carry signs to raise awareness of the tragedy of abortion. In North Carolina close to 30 towns and cities will observe Life Chain Sunday on October 1. On this week’s program, Royce Dunn, the founder and national director of Life Chain, will explain the purpose and meaning of Life Chain and how people can get involved. (September 23) mp3
Teenage Drug and Alcohol Use
Many parents report knowing what goes on at the parties their teenager attends. However a new survey shows an alarming unawareness of the drug and alcohol use at these parties. On this week’s program Elizabeth Planet, the director of special projects at the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, talks about their new survey on this issue. She explains what teenagers report about substance abuse at parties and what parents can do to protect their children. (September 16) Listen mp3
Teens and Sexually Charged Lyrics
A new study published in the journal Pediatrics has found that teenagers who listen to music laced with sexually explicit lyrics are more likely to engage in sexual activity. This week Bob Waliszewski, the director of Focus on the Family’s Plugged In department will talk about the study’s findings, as well as the broader issue of how the sexually explicit themes of today’s popular music impacts the attitudes and behaviors of young people, and what parents can do about it. (September 9) mp3
Ministering to Children of Divorce
Children who experience divorce are impacted in several ways. Unfortunately, most churches have not effectively reached out to minister to the unique needs of these children. This week’s guest is an author and speaker who has ministered to divorced families for years. Linda Ranson Jacobs is Director of Children’s Ministries for The Church Initiative, an organization that develops ministry materials for churches. On this program she will discuss the special needs of children of divorce and the Divorce Care for Kids program she developed. (September 2) mp3
NCFPC Legal Intern Review
Each summer the North Carolina Family Policy Council (NCFPC) hosts law students who are part of the Alliance Defense Fund’s Blackstone Fellowship. This summer Stephanie Evans and Brian Ratledge, both students at the Campbell University School of Law, spent time researching and writing on several projects. On this program, Stephanie and Brian will share some of their research findings as well as their insights from the perspective of an NCFPC intern. (August 26) mp3
John Dewey's Influence on Education
The writing and philosophy of John Dewey has had significant impact on education in this country for decades, but many are unaware of what he believed. This week’s guest, Henry Edmondson, is a professor of political science at Georgia College and is the author of “John Dewey and the Decline of American Education.” Mr. Edmonson will explain the negative influence Dewey’s philosophy has had on education including his view on human nature, history, religion and the family. (August 19) mp3
Faith-Based Social Service Progams—Part 2
In part two of his interview, Dr. Stephen Monsma continues his discussion about faith-based social service programs and how they differ from those run by the government. This week Dr. Monsma details how government involvement with religious organizations affects their work, as well as, the level of public acceptance for faith-based programs. (August 12) mp3
Faith-Based Social Service Progams—Part 1
In the years since welfare reform was adopted, many social service programs have been helping people get off welfare and into the job force. Secular or government-run welfare-to-work programs have been joined by faith-based organizations to help equip the needy with job and life skills. In the first segment of a two-part interview, Dr. Stephen Monsma, author of the forthcoming book “Putting Faith in Partnership: Welfare-to-Work in Four Cities,” explains his research comparing the differences between secular and religious social service programs. (August 5) mp3
Reviewing "Family Policy Perspectives"
The North Carolina Family Policy Council has released a 12-part video series titled, "Family Policy Perspectives." This new tool can be used by churches, schools, and other groups as an educational resource on a number of important issues including marriage, abortion, gambling and human sexuality. This week, Traci Griggs, the director of communications for the Council and the producer/editor of the series, explains the content of the videos and its accompanying curriculum. She also talks about how it can be a helpful resource to educate people about important family policy issues. (July 28) mp3
Defending Crisis Pregnancy Centers
For years, crisis pregnancy centers have been promoting life and meeting needs by counseling women with unwanted pregnancies. Recently, a national abortion rights group released a report criticizing these centers and calling them “an affront to choice.” On this week’s program, Kim Conroy, the director of the Sanctity of Human Life Department at Focus on the Family, will address the issues raised in the report and explain how crisis pregnancy centers are working to provide women with compassionate alternatives to abortion. (July 22) mp3
America's Advances and Challenges
A common perception is that America is worse off than it has ever been, however a new report points out that Americans are better off now than at any other time in history. Yet, many challenges still remain. This week’s guest, Michelle Bernard, is the president of the Independent Women’s Forum, and the coauthor of “America’s Promise: Our Progress Toward a Society of Freedom and Fulfillment.” She will be discussing what has improved in America and what has not. (July 15) mp3
Marriage and the Public Good
For centuries it has been commonly understood that marriage is an inherently good social institution. However, with the recent attempts to redefine marriage, greater attention is being placed on just how traditional marriage benefits society. On this week’s program, Dr. James Stoner, a political science professor as Louisiana State University, discusses a new landmark document recently published by the Witherspoon Institute entitled “Ten Principles on Marriage and the Public Good.” Stoner will talk about some of the key principles found in the document that explain why marriage is in the public interest. (July 8) mp3
Gay "Marriage" vs. Religious Freedom
In the wake of Massachusetts’ legalization of same-sex “marriage,” the Catholic Charities of Boston announced that they would no longer be placing children for adoption because the state requires them to do so with same-sex parents. This week, Maggie Gallagher, the president of the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy, discusses her article “Banned in Boston: The Coming Conflict Between Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Liberty.” She explains how the Boston example demonstrates the inevitable legal entanglements that will be experienced by faith-based organizations when same-sex marriage is permitted. (July 1) mp3
2006 Legislative Session Update
The General Assembly’s 2006 Short Legislative Session is well underway as lawmakers hammer out a budget and consider other issues. On this week’s program, North Carolina Family Policy Council director of government relations John Rustin gives an update on several issues under consideration by the General Assembly including lottery funding, video poker and a state marriage amendment. (June 24) mp3
Assessing Homosexual Education In Schools
The promotion of homosexuality is on the rise in public schools across the country. In an effort to help parents evaluate the presence of such promotion in their child’s school, a new “Risk Audit Survey” has been released by Mission America. On this week’s program, Linda Harvey, the founder of Mission America, will discuss this new tool and how it can help parents assess whether homosexual education exists in their local school. (June 17) mp3
Christian Students in Public Schools
As increased secularism and opposition to the Judeo-Christian worldview are evident in today’s public schools, more and more parents are rethinking how they choose to educate their children. Some are even calling for the total removal of Christian students from public schools altogether. This week’s guest, E. Ray Moore is among those who take this view. Ray is the director of Exodus Mandate and a former U.S. Army Reserve Chaplain. He will be discussing why he believes Christians should educate their children apart from the public school system and respond to common arguments against his position. (June 10) mp3
Marketing Immorality
In today’s culture many have been deceived into believing that destructive behaviors are just the opposite. Whether it is homosexuality and abortion or the corruption of young people through the entertainment industry, immorality has been repackaged to become acceptable and mainstream. This week’s guest, David Kupelian, is the managing editor for Worldnetdaily.com, one of the world’s largest independent news websites. He is author of the book, “The Marketing of Evil: How Radicals, Elitists and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised as Freedom.” David will explain what he means by “the marketing of evil” and how it has affected today’s culture. (June 3) mp3
Protecting Children Online
The Internet has become a useful resource for millions of Americans, but it has also become a dangerous place for teenagers and children. Online pornography and sexual predators trolling chat rooms are among the risks that young people face. This week’s guest, Colby May, serves on the board of directors of Enough is Enough, a non-profit organization dedicated to making the Internet safer for families and children. He will explain more about the sexual exploitation of children on the Internet and what parents can do to protect them. (May 27) mp3
Telling Students "Change in Possible"
The aggressive promotion of homosexuality in schools across the nation has misled many students about this behavior and the truth that change from homosexuality is possible. In an effort to get an alternate message out, Liberty Counsel and Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays have teamed up in a new school initiative called the “Change is Possible Campaign.” On this week’s program, Mat Staver, the founder and president of Liberty Counsel, will explain the campaign and the dangers of promoting homosexuality in schools. (May 20) mp3
Promoting Homosexuality in N.C. Schools
Recent events in North Carolina have demonstrated how the promotion of homosexuality is getting preferential treatment in schools. A seminar promoting homosexuality called “The New Gay Teenager” was presented to students at the Governor’s School last summer without parental notification and a student in Dunn, North Carolina, was told he could not wear a t-shirt or pass out cards promoting the Christian perspective on homosexuality on the “Day of Truth,” a day after students were allowed to observe the pro-homosexual “Day of Silence.” This week Mike Johnson, an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), will explain the circumstances surrounding these events and how ADF is getting involved with the legal questions raised by the actions of school officials. (May 13) mp3
Constitutionality of School Choice in N.C.
Discontent with the state of public education has been increasing over the years, as have calls for more choices for parents who want to send their kids to better schools. And a new legal analysis released by the North Carolina Education Alliance finds that school choice programs are entirely consistent with both the U.S. and North Carolina Constitutions. On this week’s program, David Roland, the attorney who wrote the analysis, explains the legal rationale for the constitutionality of school choice in North Carolina. (May 6) mp3
Women and Happiness in Marriage
What makes women happy in marriage? This is an age-old question that has transcended every society. With gender roles evolving over the past decades, the answer to this question appears to have changed. However, findings from a new study offer an interesting and surprising answer to this question. This week, Dr. Steven Nock, professor of sociology and director of the Marriage Matters Project at the University of Virginia, discusses the findings of his new study published in the journal, Social Forces, which explores what makes women happy in marriage. (April 29) mp3
Children's Television Content
A recent study that examined the content of children’s television programming concluded that it is “no longer a safe haven for children.” Melissa Caldwell, the senior director of programs for the Parents Television Council, will discuss the new study “Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing” on this week’s program. Melissa will talk about the results of the study and why parents should be concerned about the programs their children are watching. (April 22) mp3
The Day of Truth
On Thursday, April 27, hundreds of high school students will participate in the “Day of Truth” a nationwide response to the promotion of the homosexual agenda in schools and an effort to promote Christian truth. The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) created the event as an answer to the “Day of Silence” where students promote homosexuality and attempt to censor the Christian viewpoint. This week, Delia Van Loenen, legal counsel for ADF, will discuss the event and why it is important. (April 15) mp3
Abstinence Funding Guidelines
Recently, a group critical of abstinence education released a report opposing new federal funding guidelines for Community-Based Abstinence Education programs. The report claims that the new guidelines, issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are extreme and dangerous because they focus on the importance of marriage. This week’s guest, Dr. Gary Rose, is the president of the Medical Institute for Sexual Health. He will be talking about the new funding guidelines, the report and why abstinence until marriage is best. (April 8) mp3
Politics, Science and Homosexuality—Part 2
This week’s program continues an interview with Dr. Jeffery Satinover about how politics, not science is driving psychological associations to label homosexual behavior as normal. This week, he will focus on the misrepresentation of the scientific record in key Supreme Court decisions. Dr. Satinover is a psychiatrist, visiting lecturer at Princeton University and author of “Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth.” (April 1) mp3
Politics, Science and Homosexuality—Part 1
A significant step forward in the attempt to gain normalization for homosexuality in the culture came when major psychological associations began to label the behavior as normal. However, as this week’s guest Dr. Jeffery Satinover contends, these organizations are driven by politics and not scientific research. Dr. Satinover is a psychiatrist, visiting lecturer at Princeton University and author of “Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth.” In this first of a two-part series, he explains some of his findings regarding the politicizing of homosexuality in the psychiatric field and the ramifications of that decision. (March 25) mp3
Supreme Court's Abortion Protestors Ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court handed pro-life demonstrators a victory last month after the court determined that federal racketeering and organized crime laws could not be applied to groups that protest outside abortion clinics. This week’s guest, Jordan Lorence, will explain how the high court ruled and what it means for the pro-life movement. Mr. Lorence is Senior Vice President of the Alliance Defense Fund and an attorney who specializes in constitutional law. (March 18) mp3
Restoring the Black Family
Divorce and out-of-wedlock births are a society-wide problem. And none have been more negatively affected than the Black community. This week’s guest is Reverend Eugene Rivers, the founder and president of the Seymour Institute for Advanced Christian Studies, a Black Christian think tank in Boston, Massachusetts. Rev. Rivers will be discussing the Institute’s statement entitled “God’s Gift: A Christian Vision of Marriage and the Black Family,” which looks at the breakdown of the family in the Black community and calls for a restoration of marriage. (March 11) mp3
Choice in Cable Television Programming
A recent report issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) found that consumers would benefit from an “a la carte” method of obtaining programming. This is an option that pro-family advocates support as a way for families to only have to pay for channels they want to watch. This week, Lanier Swann, the director of government relations for Concerned Women for America, will explain more about the FCC’s findings and what it means for television programming. (March 4) mp3
The Importance of Marriage
The institution of marriage has undergone a number of challenges over the last several decades, especially in the wake of the sexual revolution. However, marriage remains critical to the stability of society. This week, Dr. Bradford Wilcox, a professor of sociology at the University of Virginia, discusses the new book “The Meaning of Marriage: Family, State, Market and Morals,” which includes some of the best contemporary scholarship on marriage from a variety of disciplines. He will explain why marriage is such a socially vital institution. (February 25) mp3
Answering Critics of Intelligent Design—Part 2
This week, Robert Crowther, the director of communications at the Discovery Institute, continues discussing Intelligent Design. On this program, Robert talks more about the debate over Intelligent Design and how this scientific theory on the origin of life fits into schools’ science standards. (February 18) mp3
Answering Critics of Intelligent Design—Part 1
In December, a federal judge ruled that a Pennsylvania school board violated the U.S. Constitution by offering Intelligent Design as an alternative to Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. This case and the increased exposure that Intelligent Design has received in the media has led to many questions about what this scientific theory really means. This week, Robert Crowther, the director of communications at the Discovery Institute answers many of these questions and explains some of what the judge said in this case. (February 11) mp3
Defending Abstinence Education
A new position paper by the Society for Adolescent Medicine has come out against abstinence education and called for its abandonment. The report is not the first attack on abstinence and is certainly not the last, but is such criticism warranted? This week’s guest is Leslee Unruh, a national advocate for abstinence and the founder and president of the Abstinence Clearinghouse. She will be discussing the position paper and why abstinence education works best. (February 4) mp3
Opposing Hate Crime Legislation
Last September, the U.S House of Representative passed hate crime legislation that, if passed by the full Congress, would increase penalties for crimes committed against a person based on their “sexual orientation.” Such legislation is strongly opposed by pro-family organizations because it bestows legal legitimacy to homosexuality and creates an unequal system of justice. This week’s guest, Alan Chambers will be talking about the legislation, a national campaign against it and why hate crime legislation is bad public policy. Alan is president of Exodus International, the largest evangelical organization dealing with homosexual issues in the world. (January 28) mp3
Abortion and the Supreme Court
As the nation marks the 33rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court is considering some important cases. And as changes continue on the high court, 2006 could be a critical year in the abortion battle. Here to discuss these cases on the program this week is Daniel McConchie, the director of public relations and public policy for Americans United for Life. Daniel will explain what issues are at stake and what changes on the court could mean for the pro-life movement. (January 21) mp3
Healing Abortion's Hurts
Often absent from any discussion on abortion is the emotional toll that it has taken on many women. Recent studies have confirmed that abortion can have a long-term negative impact on a women’s mental health. This week’s guest, Dr. Martha Shuping, is a clinical psychiatrist in Greensboro, North Carolina who specializes in treating women who have suffered the tragedy of an abortion. On this program, Dr. Shuping will discuss the emotional impact of abortion, obstacles in our society to healing, and how post-abortive women can find help. (January 14) mp3
Reconciling Science and Religion
The apparent conflict between scientific discovery and religious belief has been an issue for many Christians. As well, many in the scientific community have rejected Biblical truth as irrelevant to science. This week’s guest, Dr. Nigel Brush, discusses this divide and explains how Christianity and science can intermingle in the search for truth. Dr. Brush is a professor of geology at Ashland University in Ohio and author of the book The Limitations of Scientific Truth: Why Science Can’t Answer Life’s Ultimate Questions. (January 7) mp3
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