Problem
Regarding the prompt below highlighted in black, do you agree with my answer? Explain,
Do you think that liberalism should maintain a 'private sphere' where it does not require that liberal principles of justice apply? Or, to what extent should a liberal state be able to impose liberal principles on families regarding the division of labor, parenting, and education?
I believe that liberal principles should apply in both the public and private spheres of life. I think in the private sphere or within the home, it should be left up to those in the house to decide the dynamic, especially with regards to labor and parenting. With education for example, the state is involved in that it is a law that children must attend some type of schooling up until at least the age of 16. I think it is good that the state gets involved because children should have the ability to educate themselves and grow as a citizen. An example of this is how the Amish will not allow their children to get a full education or a higher education. I think this is unfair to the children because they don't know what they are missing and the opportunities that they could pursue are being taken away from them. However, with regard to who works in the house or who does the parenting in the house, I think both the father and mother should have an equal say and ability to both, either, or neither. The point is the parents should have the choice of how they want to break up the work or who takes care of the kids. The stereotype that the woman is the only one who can take care of the children or the man is the only who can be the breadwinner is sad because women work just as hard as men and if they want to take on a certain role or purpose in life they should be allowed to do so, despite their gender. This should be a private sphere and remain a private sphere in one's life. Just like after the thirty years of war, a private sphere to families where states could not get involved in issues like parenting or religion, had emerged (More Feminism video). The same goes to say with families in today's age and what the state should or should not get involved in.