Talk of sexual and reproductive health in strictly political terms leads to the loaded catch-phrase captured by social conservatives a generation ago: family values. In purely political terms, family values have no party or ideology, we all come from families with values. Talking about our values, and framing our policy discussions in ways that connect with people where they live, and not in the abstract, is one reason progressive candidates were successful in the 2006 elections and why there is so much hope for this as the start of a truly progressive generation.

Two years ago George Lakoff and the Rockridge Institute stepped into a debate over use of the word "choice" in reproductive rights with The Nation's Katha Pollitt. That debate, in part, inspired many groups to think differently about framing values issues. In this recently released video, Lakoff reintroduces the foundation of that debate, looking at family values from a nurturing model, one where children are supported, loved and encouraged to be nurturing and accepting; which is preferred to a strict, domineering, paternalistic model favored by social conservatives.

In terms of sexual and reproductive health, these more progressive frames and the Lakoff discussion of them are not necessarily new, despite the "choice" flap with Pollitt, because at the heart of progressive values on sexual health issues have always been support, love, nuturance and acceptance. Social conservatives succesfully distorted our values since the '70s using their strict-paternalistic model, using shame, stigma, fear, denial, repression to beat down the gift that human sexuality is. They will continue to.

Thankfully, many thoughtful reproductive health leaders work to bring more nurturing models to these important issues. Their voices are growing as the reality of the social conservative model continues to become known to voters, and the public sees the harm conservatives have done to our families, our society and our politics.

This video is a good primer for framing progressive family values for those less familiar with this work, and a reminder for those who have been inspired to build on it, that by connecting our progressive values to the everyday lives of people, we put the ultimate reality check on social conservatives: They have support from less than 30% of the electorate when progressive values are properly framed.