Harvey C. Mansfield, William R. Kenan Professor of Government at Harvard University, and author of the recent book, Manliness, delivered an important commencement address at Hillsdale College in Michigan. In “A New Feminism” [published in Imprimis, the college's newsletter], Mansfield offers some very important analysis. He is no stranger to controversy, and his presence in the academy is a genuine encouragement to all who value the “permanent things.”

Thanks for checking back for new content. I regret that my recent and quite unexpected corneal surgery has interrupted postings of new material for a couple of days, but we will be back to the full schedule right away, Lord willing.

“For the first time in its history, Western civilization is confronted with the need to define the meaning of the terms ‘marriage’ and ‘family.’” So states author Andreas J. Kostenberger who, with the assistance of David W. Jones has written God, Marriage, and Family: Rebuilding the Biblical Foundation. Read Dr. Mohler’s review and commentary on the book today.

Carl Bialik, “The Numbers Guy” columnist at The Wall Street Journal, looks at how some researchers try to project what a mom should be paid if mothers were paid as “domestic professionals.” By any measure, the executive, administrative, medical, nutritional, therapeutic, and instructional dimensions alone would count for a major executive salary.

Kay S. Hymowitz of City Journal observes that author Caitlin Flanagan has kicked up quite a storm with her new book, To Hell With All That: Loving and Loathing Our Inner Housewife.

The big news out of Britain today is the announcement that a 63-year old psychiatrist is pregnant, thanks to a donor egg and the services of the controversial Italian fertility specialist, Dr. Severino Antinori.

From London, The Guardian reports that Europe’s collapsing birthrate is finally getting the attention of government leaders. Germany, with the continent’s lowest birthrate, is now trying to persuade individuals to have more children, offering financial benefits.

The New York Times picks up on the resurgence of concern that families should — get this — eat a daily meal together. “People are really starting to understand that this is an important thing,” said Richard D. Mulieri, a spokesman for the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. “Families that do have dinner together often are families whose parents are fully engaged with their kids. We’re certainly not back to ‘Leave It to Beaver’ and ‘Father Knows Best,’ but it’s heading in that direction.”

Allan Carlson of the Howard Center in Rockford, Illinois, offers insights into the historical context of our controversies over marriage and family in “The Family Factors,” published in Touchstone Magazine.

“Spain has taken another step in its journey from conservative to liberal bastion by creating new birth certificates to avoid discrimination against same-sex couples,” reports The Telegraph [London].