Mitt Romney on Fathers and Families

Mitt Romney was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 12, 1947. His parents, George and Lenore Romney, had four children, Mitt being the youngest. George was involved in the auto industry and later became CEO of American Motors and rescued the company from the brink of bankruptcy. George later served as a cabinet secretary and was himself a candidate for President of the United States.

Mitt attended public schools in Michigan, received a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University and a law and business degree from Harvard University.

Mitt married the former Ann Davies in March 1969. They are the parents of five sons:

• Tagg, born in 1970
• Matt, born in 1971
• Josh, born in 1975
• Ben, born in 1978
• Craig, born in 1981

Mitt and Ann Romney are also the grandparents of 16.

Romney's record on fathers' rights as governor of Michigan was less than stellar, according to Michigan Fatherhood Coalition founder Mark Charalambous. He wrote, "Romney's refusal to respond to our overtures indicates to me that he intends to follow in Weld and Cellucci's footsteps. He has so far ignored our concerns about the anti-father bias in the courts and the domestic violence, child abuse, and child support regimes that are crucifying fathers in the name of protecting women and providing for children."

The development of a child is enhanced by having a mother and father. Such a family is the ideal for the future of the child and for the strength of a nation. I wonder how it is that unelected judges, like some in my state of Massachusetts, are so unaware of this reality, so oblivious to the millennia of recorded history. It is time for the people of America to fortify marriage through Constitutional amendment, so that liberal judges cannot continue to attack it. - Speech to Conservative Political Action Conference, 2008

Throughout our history, when our country needed us, Americans have stepped forward, standing up to every challenge. We step forward by expressing tolerance and respect for all God's children, regardless of their differences and choices. At the same time, because every child deserves a mother and a father, we step forward by recognizing that marriage is between a man and a woman. - 2004 Republican Convention Speech, September 1, 2004

I oppose gay marriage and civil union, if it's equivalent to gay marriage. And the reason for that is not because I don't want to show respect and tolerance for other people, but because marriage is primarily about the development and nurturing of children. And children deserve a mom and a dad. So I support traditional marriage ... I want to find ways to build stronger families. That means, by the way, more families that have moms and dads bringing kids into the world, less teenage pregnancy. We need to encourage marriage before kids. - Larry King Interview, March 15, 2007

America cannot continue to lead the family of nations around the world if we suffer the collapse of the family here at home. - Thinkexist.com

I believe from a political perspective that life begins at conception. I don't pretend to know, if you will, from a theological standpoint when life begins. I'd committed to the people of Massachusetts that I would not change the laws one way or the other, and I honored that commitment. But each law that was brought to my desk attempted to expand abortion rights and, in each case, I vetoed that effort. I also promoted abstinence education in our schools. I vetoed an effort, for instance, to give young women a morning after pill who did not have prescriptions. So I took action to preserve the sanctity of life. But I did not violate my word, of course. - Meet the Press, December 16, 2007

People, not government, are the source of America's strength. There is no place that is more important to the future strength of America than the American home. The work that goes on within the walls of a home is the most important work that is ever done in America. And if we want to strengthen America, we need to strengthen the American family. - Spartanburg Herald-Journal , February 23, 2007