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Who is Joe Mathews? Author slammed for proposal that 'California should abolish parenthood'

Joe Mathews, of the Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy, presented a 'solution' of 'making raising your own children illegal'

An author has faced considerable backlash after proposing that California must abolish parenthood so the state can "achieve true equity." Joe Mathews, a co-president of the Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy, wrote an article titled "California should abolish parenthood, in the name of equity," published in the opinion section of the Ventura County Star. The daily newspaper is owned by Gannett, the largest newspaper firm in the United States. The article, which was also republished by Yahoo in its "news" section, also proposed that children should be handed over to the government instead of being aborted.

Mathews claimed that the "greatest value" Californians had was the goal of "equity," but that parenthood prevented true equity because "fathers and mothers with greater wealth and education are more likely to transfer these advantages to their children, compounding privilege over generations." In order to deal with the perceived inequity, the author presented a "solution" of "making raising your own children illegal."

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The article called for wealthy parents to "trade" their kids with poor families and vice versa. Mathews even suggested that "homeowners might swap children with their homeless neighbors," despite describing himself as a "dad" in his Twitter bio. "Now, I recognize that some naysayers will dismiss such a policy as ghastly, even totalitarian. But my proposal is quite modest, a fusion of traditional philosophy and today’s most common political obsessions," Mathews wrote.

"The left’s introduction of anti-racism and gender identity in schools faces a bitter backlash from parents," he continued. "Ending parenthood would end the backlash, helping dismantle white supremacy and outdated gender norms." The left-leaning author also noted how abolishing parenthood would benefit Democrats. "Democrats also would have the opportunity to build a new pillar of the safety net — a child-raising system called 'Foster Care for All,'" he said.

Mathews railed against Republicans, claiming they "take immigrant children from their parents and put them in border concentration camps." However, he likened abolishing parenthood to separating children from illegal immigrants at the border and therefore Republicans would be on board with his universal orphanage proposal.

The author also mocked conservative SCOTUS Justice Amy Coney Barrett for her anti-abortion stance. Matthew suggested that children should be handed over to the state instead of being aborted. "Universal orphanhood also dovetails nicely with the pro-life campaign to end abortion rights," he wrote. "In fact, a suggestion from Justice Amy Coney Barrett, during a recent case that could overturn Roe, inspired this column. She posited that abortion rights are no longer necessary because all 50 states now have 'safe haven' laws allowing women to turn their babies over to authorities after birth. My proposal would merely make mandatory such handovers of babies to the state."

Matthews admitted that some would perceive his ideas as rather "dystopian," but asked those readers to not "pay those critics any mind. Because they just can’t see how our relentless pursuit of equity might birth a brave new world."

Nonetheless, the columnist was excoriated on social media for his eyebrow-raising proposal.

"I just read the single most insane piece that I think I’ve ever read. This leftist is proposing California abolish parenthood in the name of equity. He thinks it will help "dismantle white supremacy and outdated gender norms". It’s January but this might be the craziest of 2022," music director Robby Starbuck tweeted.

"This has to be the most completely insane news article I have ever read in my entire life. Is this where “the left” wants to take us? #JoeMathews," one Twitter user wrote.

"I thought this was an absurd parody to mock the woke. But apparently, Mathews is seriously proposing abolishing parenthood. A little free advice for Joe & his ilk: if you come for my kids, you better be armed with a lot more than a superior attitude," someone else added.

"For Joe Mathews to suggest “abolishing parenthood” and for wealthy parents to “trade” their children to poor or homeless parents tells me he’s high on something. Has anyone informed him that parenthood is a CHOICE? Lol," another chimed in.
 

Disclaimer: This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.