Parenting is not just for pronatalists: the progressive case for raising kids
by Sophie Brickman, The Guardian, June 25, 2025
About
This piece argues that child-rearing is not a retreat from public life but a powerful site of political clarity. It reframes parenting as an act of civic engagement, deeply entwined with movements for justice, equity, and long-term social change.
When to Use This
Use when building a bridge between caregiving and civic life. Especially relevant for:
- Arguing against the privatization of parenting
- Supporting the idea that homes are sites of democratic preparation
- Connecting legacy thinking to daily acts of care
- Exploring parenting as moral and political labor
Notes On
“When we see child rearing as a private project, we forget that many of the movements that shaped the left… were powered by people who looked at the next generation and decided they were worth fighting for.”
- Draws a line from MLK’s legacy-rooted politics to everyday acts of caregiving.
- Counters narratives that frame parenting as apolitical or distracting from justice work.
- Suggests parenting “puts flesh on our ideals,” grounding abstract values in lived experience.
- Parallels your work on Small Days, Home as a Site of Civic Preparation, and Developing a Civic Heart.