Certain religious and political groups have kidnapped "family values" and wave the phrase around like a flag. They wrap themselves in it and insist that YOU live whatever THEY define.

Then they are discovered having a mistress, or a gay lover, or using drugs, or embezzling church funds, or having one-night-stands. They ask forgiveness and/or enter rehab.

Ptooey.

My mother raised four kids after my father died, never remarried. My grandparents had their problems but stayed married. My two brothers have raised nine kids between them (seven and two, not 4.5 each) and are still married to their first wives. I'm still on my first wife, and this October it will be 34 years.

Family values are what the people involved are willing to make them.