Its ascendancy into the world of politics has been accelerated by popular Religious Right movements such as James Dobson's Focus on the Family. In fact the literature produced by these people openly touts the 1950's as being ideal for the American family. Titles like Father Knows Best pull a string and ring a bell with these protectors of American morality. Many times turmoil, conflict, and depression are the result. Sometimes this extends to even death itself, funeral preparations, and the memorial service.
Many gay persons feel they are outcasts or alien to their family.
Holidays and family get-togethers become times of pretense, play acting, and tension. Even the Bible, which the Religious Right claims to be authoritative in matters of family, is far from being the exact guidebook some have claimed it to be. Gender roles were radically different. Even Saint Paul, the main source of many Religious Right spokepersons, gave mixed messages about marriage and family. Paul's teachings were far more fluid than many are willing to admit.