The Culture Reform

Faith, Family, and Vocation: Harrison Butker’s Speech

Harrison Butker’s Speech

Harrison Butker, kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, recently delivered a commencement speech at Benedictine College, a Catholic liberal arts institution. His remarks focused on finding fulfillment in life’s “vocation,” emphasizing the importance of faith and family. However, some comments regarding women’s roles sparked outrage, particularly his views on finding fulfillment in marriage and homemaking. Critics perceived these remarks as outdated and dismissive of women’s career aspirations.

Context

A closer examination reveals that his remarks were neither outrageous nor inappropriate for the context. Speaking at a Catholic institution, Butker emphasized the importance of faith, family, and vocation—values that are central to Catholic teaching.

First, it’s important to recognize that Butker was articulating views consistent with Catholic doctrine to an audience that shares those beliefs. His emphasis on finding fulfillment in marriage and homemaking reflects traditional Catholic values. This perspective is not a relic of the past but a living part of the faith for many Catholics today.

Traditional Roles

Historically, the roles Butker described have been the norm for much of human history. The idea that men and women have distinct, complementary roles within the family unit has been the foundation of many societies. It’s only in recent decades that Western society has widely embraced a different view. For many Christians, social conservatives, and people worldwide, these traditional roles are still seen as natural and valuable.

Butker’s point about vocation is rooted in the belief that men and women have inherent differences that suit them for different roles. Men, generally stronger and unable to breastfeed, are traditionally the providers. Women who can bear and nurse children are ideally suited to raise them, especially in the early years. Many people see this division of labor not as degrading but as a practical arrangement that enables both parents to contribute uniquely to the family’s well-being.

Progressivism and its Consequences

The outrage from progressives likely stems from a misunderstanding of Butker’s message. They perceive it as a call for women to be confined to the home, overlooking that Butker was speaking to a Catholic audience about Catholic values. His assertion that homemaking is a worthy vocation for women is not a dismissal of other aspirations but an affirmation of the value of family life.

Butker’s remarks also highlight a critique of modern Western society’s experimental shift away from these traditional roles. Let’s not shy away from the consequences of encouraging women to prioritize careers over family: higher rates of single parenthood, absentee parenting, and the delegation of child-rearing to institutions. These trends have led to societal harm, including the weakening of family structures and a decline in birth rates.

Reaffirming Traditional Roels

Progressives might see homemaking as degrading because they interpret it as limiting women’s potential. However, Butker was advocating for the primary vocation of wife and mother, not the only vocation. Men, too, have a primary role as husbands and fathers. This view aligns with the natural order seen in the animal kingdom, where reproduction and the nurturing of offspring are fundamental.

Butker’s speech should be seen not as an attack on women’s career aspirations but as a defense of traditional values that many still hold dear. His message underscores the importance of family and the distinct, complementary roles of men and women in nurturing future generations. While progressivism champions new social norms, it’s crucial to recognize and respect the enduring values that many believe are essential for a stable and thriving society.

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