Lakoff’s Moral Models in Political Discourse
George Lakoff’s model is significantly insightful and can be applied to the field of politics. He believed that “American politics can be understood through a metaphor of the family” (POLI D001, 2023, 3:36). The Strict Father Model or the Nurturant Parent Model can be applied to explain the rationale behind a particular position (Lakoff, 2006). For example, the Strict Father Model involves the structure of “a traditional nuclear family.” Here, the father has the “primary responsibility for setting overall family policy,” and the mother should be supportive and “help carry out the father’s views on what should be done” (Lakoff, 1995, p.9).
Conservative groups can be seen in this model since they find authority and familial values sacred. In contrast, in the Nurturant Parent Model, “the family is of either one or two parents” (Lakoff, 1995, p.11). Compared with the previous model, the nurturant model is more liberal-oriented, and “parents develop close bonds with children and teach them empathy and responsibility towards others and toward society” (Lakoff, 1995, p.11). Therefore, the two models are quite polar and are based on differing values.
Applying Moral Models to the Abortion Debate
History of the Debate
The issue of abortion can be discussed using both models. Abortion was a common practice for women from the days of colonialism until the Civil War. Beginning around the beginning of the Civil War, a group of male doctors initiated a campaign to pressure state governments to criminalize abortion in all circumstances (Planned Parenthood Action Fund, n.d.). As a result, abortion was outlawed nationwide by 1910. However, in the 1960s, the abortion law reform movement began. Consequently, eleven states simplified their abortion regulations in the second half of the twentieth century (Planned Parenthood Action Fund, n.d.).
With its historic ruling in the Roe v. Wade case in 1973, the Supreme Court secured the constitutional right to obtain abortion across the country (Planned Parenthood Action Fund, n.d.). Nowadays, liberals and conservatives have varying positions on this issue. While liberals believe that women must have the right to make decisions concerning their bodies, conservative groups argue that undergoing an abortion procedure is immoral and should be considered murder.
Analysis of the Issue Using the Strict Father Model
Furthermore, the Strict Father and Nurturant Parent models can be used in this case. For example, according to the Strict Father model, there are two types of women who seek abortions. Among the types are “unmarried teenagers, whose pregnancies have resulted from lust and carelessness, and women who want to delay conception for the sake of a career, but have accidentally conceived” (Lakoff, 1995, p.11). As a result, both women show signs of immorality since the adolescents are unable to control their urges, and the women who choose careers are immoral to the destinies of others (Lakoff, 1995).
Conservative groups, or those who follow the Strict Father model, posit that abortions are immoral and should be opposed. In contrast, liberal positions view adolescents and women seeking abortion from a different perspective. The position of the Nurturant Parent is that women might want to take control of their lives, and adolescents might require help (Lakoff, 1995). Therefore, it is important to provide them with affordable and safe abortion procedures.
Analysis of the Issue Through the Nurturant Parent Model
As for the Strict Father Model, four metaphors can be used to explain the position on the issue of abortion. The first metaphor is Moral Wholeness, which is based on the principle of maintaining moral standards. In the case of abortion, it can be believed that if a person is capable of murdering an unborn child, then any murder should be allowed. Another metaphor is Moral Strength, implying that every person should find the power to control their impulses (Lakoff, 1995). As was mentioned, conservative groups believe that abortion is requested by women who are immoral and cannot control their urges.
The third metaphor, Moral Self-interest, is based on the impact one person has on society. If such an immoral act as abortion is allowed, then there will be no well-being in society. Finally, Moral Authority relies on the concept that the government acts in the best interests of its citizens (Lakoff, 1995). As a result, the metaphor shows that the authorities try to protect their future citizens even when they are unborn.
Lastly, the four metaphors of the Nurturant Parent Model that can be applied to the issue of abortion are Morality as Empathy, Morality as Nurturance, Morality as Fairness, and Morality as Social Nurturance. The first metaphor is based on the notion that every individual should try to understand the position and feelings of another person (Lakoff, 1995). In this case, it is vital to understand why a woman might seek medical help for an abortion.
Another metaphor, Morality as Nurturance, implies that helping others is a “moral responsibility” (Lakoff, 1995, p.14). As a result, it is integral to help those in need, including women seeking an abortion. The third metaphor, Morality as Fairness, is based on providing equal rights. In this case, women should have the same body autonomy as men. Finally, Morality as Social Nurturance argues that community relationships and understanding must be maintained (Lakoff, 1995). Therefore, providing women with access to abortions shows care and understanding.
References
Lakoff, G. (2006). Don’t think of an elephant: Know your values. C-SPAN. Web.
Lakoff, G. (1995). Metaphor, morality, and politics, or why conservatives have left liberals in the dust. Social Research, 62(2), 177-213. Web.
Planned Parenthood Action Fund. (n.d.). Abortion is central to the history of reproductive health care in America. Web.
POLI D001. (2023). Lakoff lecture [Lecture]. De Anza College. Web.