Who’s in Charge of Our Children?

There is a crucial battle happening right now across our nation. It’s not a battle over resources or land. It’s not a war against threats from foreign enemies. It’s not a fight to impose a religious ideology upon Americans. No, this conflict is much more personal in nature and fundamental in ambition. This dispute is one that targets the very foundation upon which societies are built and depending on the outcome, has the potential to transform our culture from the inside out. What could this urgent battle be that’s so threatening, you ask? It’s the battle to redefine whether parents retain the right to decide what is in the best interest for the education, health, safety, and well-being of their children.

Why Parental Authority Matters
Now that may not sound all that serious to some, especially if you don’t have children of your own, but please hear me out. When parents, the ones who know and love their children the most, are stripped of their ability to determine and provide the optimal care and protection of their kids, it opens the door to countless potential threats whose effects can last a lifetime. Children’s ideas and beliefs can be shaped in ungodly ways. Choices about sexual activity can be influenced contrary to God’s design for intimacy. These in turn carry risks of unexpected pregnancy, STDs, physical and emotional trauma, etc. Potentially harmful decisions or actions related to a child’s health may take place against parents’ wishes whose effects may be irreversible. Simply put, the role parents play in the upbringing of their children is instrumental and indispensable in their development into adulthood.

Government Expansion Into Family Decisions
To the alarm of many parents, this idea is being challenged in multiple ways in states across the country. Governments in multiple states have sought to impose requirements upon families with children, meant to force compliance. These regulations infringe on a parent’s ability to decide what and how their children are taught, who is permitted to teach, what’s best for their children’s health, and even whether they are given information on such matters. These objectives are primarily being pursued by amending state laws that impact all models of education including public, private, charter, and especially homeschools.

What does this mean in practical terms? It means that the government is increasingly setting the standard for what curriculum is taught to children, whether parents like it or not. It also means, in some states, that once a child reaches a certain age, parents may not have access to their healthcare information without the child’s consent for certain types of treatment, starting as young as age 12.

In states like California, Oregon, New York, Minnesota, Washington, and others, parents are finding it more difficult to opt their children out of content promoting DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), Critical Theory that can challenge parental authority, LGBTQ+, gender fluidity, and globalism. Regarding healthcare, because of laws that encourage minors to seek medical treatment without fear of parental judgment or repercussions, moms and dads may find themselves excluded from their child’s healthcare decisions. These may include circumstances related to depression, suicidal thoughts, gender dysphoria, substance abuse, or reproductive matters like pregnancy or abortion.

While it may seem like children’s education and healthcare are separate issues, the two do not operate independently from one another. There are many circumstances involving a child’s health that are influenced by the viewpoints they’ve been exposed to in school. For example, a child who chooses to take hormones because they identify with a different gender may do so because they have been “affirmed” in their identity or taught that biological sex and perceived gender are separate concepts.

Some parents, requesting that their children be excluded from lessons aligned with topics like those above, or requesting the removal of content in public school libraries containing mature themes, have encountered pushback by critics. Those who support such subject matter claim its inclusion is necessary to represent marginalized perspectives and intended to prepare students for a future where they’ll live in a diverse world. Even more concerning for parents are situations where their children might begin to embrace these ideologies and act upon ideas gleaned from the faulty instruction they received, which often conflicts with the deeply held religious convictions of the family, including Christian beliefs.

Depending where one lives, should a child decide to identify with a sexual orientation that differs from their biological sex, choose to be addressed by a different name, wear clothing typically associated with a different gender, or even begin the process of transitioning to the opposite sex (include medical treatments), it’s entirely possible that parents are kept in the dark on such matters. Unfortunately, the ability of parents to shield their kids from these kinds of issues is becoming increasingly difficult, and even homeschooling is becoming less of a viable option.

Legislative and Cultural Challenges
In multiple states across the country, legislation has been drafted or adopted which creates unnecessary obstacles just to educate one’s own child. For example, a recent bill in Connecticut (HB5468) was put forth to establish a new regulatory framework for homeschooling. It requires parents to register their children with their school district, submit an annual form stating continuation of homeschooling, and prove the use of “state approved” educational methods. Similarly in New Jersey, at the end of 2025, Assembly Bill 5796 and its companion bill S4589, sought to impose annual meetings between children, parents, and a school official for “general health and wellness checks.” Here in Minnesota, a bill, SF3439, has been submitted intending to eliminate conscientious objections by parents to the MMR vaccine required for their children to attend school. This includes homeschool. In effect, it leaves no educational options for parents trying to protect their kids from harmful content taught in public schools and disagree that the state should mandate healthcare decisions for their children. The dangerous implication here is that the state government decides what’s best for a child’s health, not parents. It turns the educational system into a tool of enforcement.

The Biblical Role of Parents and Government
So, what makes all this so concerning? Why is it so important? How does this threaten the foundation of our culture? It matters because it directly challenges the design and undermines the authority granted to parents by God in His establishment of the nuclear family. The family unit is the smallest form of governance instituted by God where parents are given responsibility of teaching, disciplining, guiding, and in all other ways, raising their children to know and honor Him. When the government infringes upon parental authority to carry out their God-given duty, it threatens the epicenter of entire cultures and civilizations. Every society, community, country, or state, is molded and shaped by its citizens, and their citizens are the byproduct of the families in which they’re raised. When the hearts and minds of impressionable youth are trained and shaped with ideas, whether good or bad, they become deeply held convictions and worldviews. Those worldviews then affect choices and decisions, which in turn solidify into policies, practices, and laws that impact every facet of their society.

Parental authority began as part of God’s created order, conveyed in His directive to Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply (Ge. 1:27-28), and strengthened in His command for children to “honor your father and your mother” (Ex. 20:12, Dt. 5:16). Fathers and mothers are firstly responsible for teaching their children to love God with all their heart (Dt. 6:4-7), and secondly for providing instruction, training, and discipline (Pr. 1:8) intended to shape them into healthy and mature adults having Godly virtues and integrity (Ep. 6:4, Pr. 13:24, 22:6). The lifetime of sacrifice, service, and sweat that a parent pours into their children is a labor of love and an investment meant to produce fruits of righteousness (He. 12:7-11). When children are raised properly by Godly parents, it can generally be expected that they’ll enjoy a long and happy life. Paul explains this principle saying, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you (quality of life), and that you may live long on the earth (longevity).”

Notice that God does not place the burden of education, discipline, or protection of children upon governing authorities. Instead, He explains in His Word that government is intended to restrain evil, uphold justice, and maintain social order (Ro. 13:1-4). It is meant to discourage wrongdoing by punishing evil and encourage virtuous behavior by praising those who do what is right (1 Pe. 2:14). God also warns about the tendency for governing authorities to abuse power, overreaching beyond the purpose for which they’ve been established (1 Sa. 8:10-18). This is exactly what appears to be occurring in states across the land and if left unchecked, is likely to expand. Simply put, it’s more power and control by government over kids, less freedom for parents. Again, whether you are a parent or not, this should be concerning to everyone. Government shouldn’t usurp the authority of parents in raising their children.

What Christians Can Do
What can parents, grandparents, and concerned citizens do to push back against these alarming trends? Be active! Speak up! Get involved! There are many ways that we as Christians can stand for righteousness as it pertains to parental authority. The most important thing we can do is to pray. Praying that God would help guide and direct decisions that are made which impact children along with protecting and strengthening the ability of parents to raise their kids in a Godly manner is essential! Recognizing that it pleases God when children submit to and obey their parents, praying for His help to protect the freedom and authority of parents to nurture and disciple children should be a given (Col. 3:20). Secondly, contact your state representatives, attend school board meetings, and talk with school administrators about legislation that restricts parental rights or content that is morally wrong. Making your voice heard makes more of a difference than you might think! With that, let your voice be heard through your vote! Be sure to participate in elections where you can vote for candidates and legislation that favors parents and push back against those that don’t. Lastly, work together with like-minded believers by attending rallies for parental rights and health freedom or supporting Christian homeschooling organizations that will advocate on parents’ behalf.

What’s at Stake
There is too much at stake to simply be quiet and sit on the sidelines. Unrighteous agendas and ideologies have already crept into our school systems and limitations have already been placed on what health information is available to moms and dads. If we remain content to be neutral and inactive on these matters, the freedoms that parents have enjoyed for so long in this country will continue to be eroded. The more this happens, the more it means government will mold and shape the children of this nation. Let’s make sure this doesn’t happen and keep authority over our children where God intended it. With parents.