What Is a Generational Win?

Here at Alliance Defending Freedom, we often talk about securing “generational wins” through our work in the courtrooms and in the culture.

But what is a generational win? And why is it important?

To put it concisely, a generational win achieves a significant victory changing the law and culture of the nation for a generation. Deliberate action is taken following that victory in order to ensure that it endures for generations to come.

To help explain this concept, consider this example.

It might come as a surprise to you that, 35 years ago, government officials in many states thought homeschooling should be illegal. As a whole, society did not welcome homeschooling.

Now, homeschooling is legally recognized in all 50 states. And our society believes that homeschooling is a valid educational option for families. In fact, many families see it as a superior educational option!

That is a generational win.

ADF is working to achieve these types of victories in five different areas.

Generational Win 1: Safeguarding Life

Since the Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade legalized abortion in all 50 states, more than 62 million babies have lost their lives… just in the United States. We must ensure that life is protected at every stage, from conception to natural death.

Generational Win 2: Defending Religious Freedom

Government officials have increasingly threatened our free exercise of religion, treating religious organizations and people of faith as second-class citizens. We must work to restore important religious freedom safeguards, defending its status as a fundamental right.

Generational Win 3: Securing Free Speech

More and more often, we are seeing government officials promote the viewpoints they favor and censor those they don’t, ignoring our constitutional right to free speech. But we are better and stronger as a society when we make room for a variety of opinions and viewpoints, which is why we must secure free speech for all.

Generational Win 4: Protecting Marriage and the Family

In the 2015 Supreme Court ruling Obergefell v. Hodges, the legal definition of marriage changed. And activists continue to push to erase important distinctions based on biological sex. We must work to restore an understanding of marriage, the family, and sexuality that reflect God’s created order.

Generational Win 5: Guaranteeing Parental Rights

Some government officials are seeking to override the right of parents to make decisions for their children, determining that they know best. We must guarantee the fundamental rights of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children.

These generational wins drive what we do here at ADF. And we will continue to advocate for these important principles in the courtroom and the culture, securing freedom for generations to come.