Strong Families FAQ
What is the Strong Families Initiative?
The Strong Families Initiative is a 10-year national initiative to change the way people think, feel and act in support of families. Our vision is that by 2020 we will expand the definition of family to support families of all kinds. Along with this culture shift, we will generate broad public support for policies on the local, state and national levels to created conditions so that families of all kinds can thrive.
Which families are you focusing on?
The focus of Strong Families is on families who have the least amount of resources and are most under attack: families of color, low-income families, immigrant families, LGBT families and single parent families. As families in the U.S. struggle, low-income women, women of color and their children experience the greatest burden.
How do you define a strong family?
Strong families are families in which every member has the opportunity to thrive. This is a very different definition from the strong patriarchal family for which our opposition is advocating.
Who is leading this effort?
ACRJ is leading Strong Families with Western States Center, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, Political Research Associates, Movement Strategy Center, Young Women United, National Asian Pacific Islander Women’s Health Forum, and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health.
Isn’t “strong families” a conservative frame?
Since when does the right own the concept of family? Our communities also center their strength in the family unit whether it's a chosen family, an extended family or a non-traditional one. It’s time we reclaimed the family, because our movement is the one actually interested in supporting them.
I thought reproductive justice was about abortion. Why is this about families?
While abortion access is part of reproductive justice, it is much broader than that. Reproductive justice is about having self-determination over our bodies, our sexuality and our family formation. The Strong Families Initiative is about supporting families so that every member has the opportunity to thrive.
By celebrating young moms, aren't we promoting teen pregnancy? Shouldn't we be discouraging it instead?
We don’t promote teen pregnancy; we promote informed decision making and access to the resources and opportunity to ensure that they have good options to choose from.
We support all young people and their ability to access the services, information and resources they need for their health and well being. We always protect the right to a full range of reproductive health services, including contraception and abortion.
When young people become parents, we want them to have every chance for success. Young moms are raising a significant portion of the next generation. We want to ensure that these mothers, fathers and their children have the recognition, rights and resources they need to thrive.
How can I participate?
- Tell your story!
- Join our blog team or help spread the word via your social media skills. contact us at info@reproductivejustice.org for more info.
- Have your organization sign on.
- Like us on Facebook.
- Follow us on twitter @strongfams
- Reach out to us for more ideas: info@reproductivejustice.org
