The Road to Parental Rights Begins

This Giving Tuesday (December 2), we invite you to join us on The Road to Parental Rights, a national journey that traces both the history and the continuing importance of one of our most essential liberties: the right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children.

The concept of parental rights has deep roots in our nation’s legal and cultural heritage. A century ago, in Pierce v. Society of Sisters, the United States Supreme Court affirmed that parents possess a fundamental right and responsibility to guide their children’s education and moral development. That principle has served as a cornerstone of American family life ever since. Yet, in recent years, parents across the country have faced increasing challenges to that foundational freedom. From local classrooms to federal courts, the question of who ultimately directs a child’s upbringing remains one of the most pressing issues of our time.

Over the next four weeks, we will travel together along this “road,” reflecting on the origins of parental rights, examining key moments that have shaped the modern debate, and highlighting current efforts to safeguard these rights for future generations. Our goal is not only to educate but also to inspire action and renewal. By understanding where we have come from, we can more clearly see the path forward.

Your partnership makes this work possible. Each research project we publish, each policy initiative we support, and each family we stand beside is strengthened by the generosity of friends like you. This Giving Tuesday, your contribution will have an even greater impact. Through two generous matching grant opportunities, every dollar given will be tripled to advance parental rights in communities and courtrooms across the nation.

There’s also a geographic aspect to our “Road to Parental Rights,” as we’ll be featuring supporter videos from around the country. I’ll start at home, with a video of my own (included here). But you’ll want to follow along to see just where in the country this Road will take us.

As we embark on this journey together, we invite you to reflect on the enduring importance of family, freedom, and responsibility. The road ahead may be challenging, but with your support, we can ensure that parents remain at the center of decisions affecting their children’s lives.

Follow the Journey on our YouTube channel here. (You can also find our videos on Facebook and Instagram.)

Thank you for standing with us in this vital work. Together, we can protect families today and secure the future for our children tomorrow.