Canadian families vary across the country. The natural family (father, mother, and biological children) is still the most common family structure, but others have become more common over recent decades.
Canadian families vary across the country. The natural family (father, mother, and biological children) is still the most common family structure, but others have become more common over recent decades.
To legitimize these new family structures, Canadian jurisdictions have extensively redefined the law around family, marriage, and parenting in recent years. The law is no longer built on the natural family structure. Instead, the family is increasingly built on contractual relationships which allow adults to choose whether to enter or leave marriages, and to become parents based on their intent, or desire, to become a parent.
While these changes to the law seek to focus on the best interests of the child, they have serious unintended negative consequences for children. Statistically, children do best when they grow up with their married, biological mother and father. Wherever possible, law and public policy should seek to ensure that a child can be raised by his or her biological mother and father, with the alternative being adoption. We must put the needs of a child first, and not deliberately facilitate a child’s separation from his or her biological parents.
A Christian view of the family recognizes the natural family as an institution dating back to the creation of mankind. The institution of the family precedes the institution of the state, giving the family a primary role in society. Following this model produces the best, measurable results for children.
ARPA Canada’s principles and recommendations focus on how Canadian jurisdictions can promote the best interests of the child and society as a whole by supporting the natural family and recognizing the value of married, biological mothers and fathers.