Greg Erken.com

Parental Rights

From 1994 to 1996, I was Executive Director and spokesman for Of The People, a national parental rights group.

We advocated for a Parental Rights Amendment (PRA) to be added to state constitutions.

The Parental Rights Amendment

1. The right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children shall not be infringed.

2. The legislature shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

The amendment drew wide grassroots support across the country and was introduced in 30 state legislatures from 1994 to 1996.

The PRA advanced the farthest in Colorado as a citizens' initiative, where over 83,000 signatures were gathered to put the PRA on the state ballot in November 1996 (Amendment 17).

The Colorado version of the Parental Rights Amendment differed from the text proposed elsewhere around the country, adding language that specified "that parents have the right to direct and control the upbringing, education, values, and discipline of their children.” (Emphasis added.)

This version of the amendment was defeated by a vote of 53% to 47% on Nov. 5, 1996.

Election results and other info from Ballotpedia.

TV Appearances

Fox News
Debating CO Gov/DNC Chairman Roy Romer on Hannity and Colmes, 10/21/96.
PBS
To The Contrary parental rights segment 3/8/96.
Campaign Ad
"Bus Stop," ad in support of the 1996 CO Parental Rights Amendment ballot initiative.

Here's a YouTube playlist with all my TV appearances and another TV spot in support of the Amendment.

Radio, Media Coverage and Analysis

My nationwide NPR debate with Dan Katz of the ACLU, moderated by Ray Suarez.

"Parent's Rights Amendment Roils Colorado Senate Race," Washington Post.

"Who's The Boss?," Westworld (Denver, CO).

"The Colorado Parental Rights Amendment: How and Why It Failed," Guttmacher Institute.

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