"Family Values"

The term "family values" gets tossed around a lot these days. People are either for "family values" or against them. They are tirelessly promoted and have formed the backbone of many political campaigns over the years.

The "death" of this supposedly universally static system is one of the most hotly contested topics in the media.

But I'm not even sure what "family values" means. Does it mean valuing your family, and if so, has there been a noticeable decrease in overall appreciation of ones family members? Does mom's meatloaf no longer hold the sway it once enjoyed?

Is "family values" just a red herring for which to disguise an underlying prejudice and bigotry toward non-heterosexual or non-conventional relationships?

Is it just another clever conservative double-speak term that's over-used as a scapegoat whenever people feel like the lifestyle they enjoy is being threatened? I'm not sure I understand why people can't live whatever lifestyle they choose as long as they don't interfere with or force it on others? And if this is the case, how can those who say these "family values" are being threatened advocate policies to enforce said values, knowing full well that these policies would deny others the right to pursue their own lifestyle. Doesn't this seem hypocritical?

And why would people want everyone to live the same way anyway? Appreciate all the same things? Does it stem from some sort of envy for those who are different? Instead of breaking the mold yourself you want to conform others to it?

Perhaps "family values" as a social institution lacks any useful meaning altogether. Maybe we should all just focus on being the best people we can be and enjoy living life while we can.

Or maybe my values just aren't "familial" enough. Or perhaps I need a new family of values. Or maybe I should re-value my family on the black market. Yeah, that must be what they mean... I bet I could get a pretty penny.