According to the Christian Right, families are the closest thing we have on earth to the heavenly social order. Every member is devoted to all other members and there’s nothing we’d rather do than promote their interests through our own self-sacrifice. So I had to laugh when I read these comments about wills and children in the Melbourne Age ‘Money‘ supplement (Margot Date, ‘For their own good’, 12 Jul. 2006, 12):

My wife and I after some sorry times with our children now say we will spend the lot and enjoy ourselves. - 71-year-old man.

We deprived ourselves, worked hard so we had no debt. Our baby boomer children have been profligate. We’re not prepared to go without now so that they can inherit the lot. - 76-year-old man.

We had nothing. Kids should start the same way. - 72-year-old man.

Their lackadaisical attitude just can’t last. It’s about time my children realised our money is for us to enjoy. - 64-year-old man.

I’m not leaving them anything. They’ve had enough of my sweat and tears already. - 58-year-old man.

And what do the mums think?

I haven’t discussed [my will] with them and don’t intend to do so. I have enough trouble keeping the peace as it is. - 72-year-old woman.

The difference between me and my children is that they expect assistance. Well, they’ve got a few surprises coming their way when I die. - 69-year-old woman.

I’ve left everything equally. I haven’t talked to them about it. I’m just hoping maybe the others will help the poor one. But I don’t want the arguments. - 67-year-old woman.

And just by the way, evangelical Christian couples are supposed to break up more readily than average. So much for happy families.

Filed in: Family Values