CARP Members Join Love and Fidelity Conference
Photo courtesy of CARP USA
Several CARP members representing chapters across the country recently participated in the 15th annual Love and Fidelity Network (LFN) Conference held in Princeton, New Jersey, on Oct. 28 and 29. The national conference brings together hundreds of students, scholars, and experts to inform and equip pupils with the best research and supporting materials needed to bring the message of love and fidelity to college campuses.
“Receiving logical information to back up the importance of sexual integrity and the importance of having a good relationship between parents and children was my highlight,” said Isaac, a CARP member and undergraduate at the College of Southern Nevada.
The conference program, titled “Sexuality, Integrity, and the University” (SIU), drew a crowd of more than 80 Ivy League students, as well as those from various religious institutions and public and private schools. National CARP has been attending SIU conferences annually for more than five years now, actively building partnerships with LFN staff and presenters, including LFN Executive Director Alain Oliver, who spoke at an event hosted by CARP New Jersey in 2019.
“I believe that while a large purpose for the conference is to continue to stand for marriage, family, and sexual integrity on college campuses, it’s equally critical to fortify relationships with other like-minded groups to not only feel more empowered, but also to substantially show examples of a shift into this new culture,” said Junta, a CARP member and UC Berkeley graduate.
Photo courtesy of CARP USA
This year, CARP students from the Bay Area, Boston, Florida, Las Vegas, and New Jersey chapters joined CARP staff, board members, alumni, and supporters at the conference. Featured speakers included author and “Them Before Us” founder and director Katy Faust, who asserted that children’s rights should be considered foremost. She also emphasized that feeling safe and loved as a child is maximized when a biological father and mother are both present in raising them.
“Faust was the most impactful presentation in my opinion,” shared Luc, a CARP student from UMass Boston. “She approached the issue of sexual immorality from a children's rights perspective. As someone in the education field, it really resonated with me and the work I do.”
“In relation to CARP’s perspective, I believe that children need both biological parents in the same household in order to grow to become a child who can discover their true identity as a child of God,” added Keisetsu, a CARP student from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Brigham Young University professor Dr. Alan Hawkins was another speaker whose message touched the audience. He discussed the tendency for people to view marriage as a “capstone” — an end goal to accomplish — rather than as a “cornerstone” and foundation for their future. His research focused on comparing findings between earlier and later married couples, which revealed some favorable results for earlier marriages, such as more marital and sexual satisfaction.
Photo courtesy of CARP USA
Remarks were also delivered by Dr. Catherine Palaluk of the Catholic University of America and Dr. Robert George from Princeton University. Dr. Palaluk discussed her findings interviewing families across America who had more than five children. Her research revealed that despite various challenges, mothers with more than five children experienced greater happiness. Dr. George encouraged the young audience to “be determined truth-seekers and courageous truth-speakers.” He said that while it may seem unimaginable or impossible for the national campus culture to change, it is in fact possible and starts with young leaders who stand up to the status quo.
Dr. Carl R. Trueman, a professor at Grove City College, and Dr. Anthony Bradley of The King’s College shared presentations as well. Discussing parenthood and the mission of students, both academics said it’s up to the current generation to resolve societal issues stemming from familial breakdown.
“Understanding the logical and academic support for our values is an invaluable asset for all [CARP] members,” said a student from Nevada. “Because the culture on college campuses today is so heavily against true family values, being able to show that living by these values is empirically better would help us find more conviction in our beliefs and improve our ability to convey the importance of these values.
CARP members departed the two-day conference feeling revitalized and more confident in their mission after connecting with other students holding similar values.
You can connect with a CARP chapter near you here.