Editing 79-09-B7 (section)

= The Family =

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=== Transcript ===
Many people are concerned today about what seems to be an erosion of the
family structure. Articles have been written suggesting that the rising
incidence of crime, the drug culture and the increase in illegitimate births
is evidence of the family's deterioration.

I only mention that by way of introduction to today's topic which has
to do with the nomination of the federal judge. The President has submitted
the name of Patricia Wald as his appointee to the U.S . Circuit Court for
the District of Columbia.

This particular judicial post is considered by many to be the most
influential Federal tribunal besides the Supreme Court itself. And since
judicial rulings often become what is known as "case law," it is interesting
to note some of the expressed views of the nominee to this important bench.

Ms. Wald in a 1974 article on the rights of youth suggested that childhood
has been seriously compared to slavery. Now I'll admit to remembering a few
hot summer afternoons when my father had reminded me it was my turn to mow
the lawn (my brother and I shared that task) that I could have been persuaded
I was the victim of enforced bondage. But from my present vantage point
that and other chores like carrying out the ashes seem little enough in return
for what my parents had to put up with.

Some of Ms. Wald's suggestions for removing the slave chains from our
children would do very little to restore the family as a unit in our social
fabric. True, she proposes that every young child has the right to be
consulted and informed about critical decisions in his or her life. I think
many of us as parents will admit to sometimes not involving our children
as much as we should in discussions about things affecting them. But I also
think most parents know that when we do, after the discussion is over the
final executive decision is ours to make.

Ms. Wald however doesn't see it that way. She argues or at least did
in 1974 that, "the child's interests deserve representation by an independent
advocate before a neutral decision-maker."

That does evoke a warm family picture. Dinner is over, Mom and Pop are
in the living room and the door bell rings. Junior says, "that's my advocate
about this summer camp business. " He lets him in, the parents introduce
themselves and then present their case. The advocate listens and proposes
(maybe) a compromise solution acceptable to his client -- their little boy.

According to the President's nominee for the judgeship, "A youth ought
to be able to seek legal advice or help to redress his grievances against
family, school or others who adversely affect him ... a child or youth should
have access to free or paid legal services on a confidential basis to discuss
his personal grievances..."

To top it off it is proposed that adolescents should be able to seek
medical or psychiatric care on their own. "This option", she says, "will
become economically possible," when we have a nationalized health program.
That's good because it will be Mom and Pop who'll need to visit a shrink. 

This is Ronald Reagan.

Thanks for listening.
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=== Details ===
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<TR><TD WIDTH="150">Batch Number</TD><TD WIDTH="150">{{PAGENAME}}</TD></TR>
<TD>Production Date</TD><TD>06/29/[[Radio1979|1979]]</TD></TR>
<TD>Book/Page</TD><TD>[[Radio_Commentary_Books#Reagan:_In_His_Own_Hand|RihoH-375]]</TD></TR>
<TD>Audio</TD><TD></TD></TR>
<TD>Youtube?</TD><TD>No</TD></TR>
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===Added Notes===

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