This is the end result of being settled by Puritains.
On adoption. I am an advocate of open adoption where the mother chooses the parents of her child and maintains a relationship with the child. After the father waives paternal rights, the mother would have the right to choose the parent(s) she feels is/are best for her child, after passing screening requirements which do not include gender.
Many of our nations founder's were in favor of the rights of the indiviual. Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Thomas Paine to name a few. Paine was one of many who lobbied AGAINST the Constitution because I gave too many powers to the federal government. James Madison wrote the Bill or Rights to try to appease the individualists.
Our nation has always been built on the rule of the majority, while maintaining the rights of the minority. The place of government is to protect people from actions they do not or cannot consent to, to provide defense, and to provide infrastructure for defense and interstate commerce. That's really about it.
