Maggie, I enjoyed reading this. I agree that "doing" is what builds a family and gives it quality.

But I don't agree that one can't just "have" a family. If a man gets a woman pregnant during a one-night stand, that is his child. He (or she) can't just say he's not the father, and hey presto he's not any more.

Almost everyone would agree that he has responsibilities toward that child. Ideally he would play an important part in that child's life. I'm not saying this is a great situation, but it's just the reality of what a family is. Simply "being" a family should dictate these people's "doing".

There is a biological reality in the traditional family unit that we can't just redefine into non-existence. That is, a mother, a father, and their offspring. Children want and need to have both a mum and a dad around. There is overwhelming evidence that the traditional family gives the best outcomes for children.

It is in everyone's best interests for the government and other parties to support the traditional (and scientific) family unit. If the family unit is in trouble then we need stronger support, not to gleefully rub its nose in the dirt. I don't think Maggie has done that, but many commentators in the media have been.