The media is celebrating another “women beat men” Olympics for Team USA. But a more powerful American story from these Winter Games isn’t about gender competition. It’s about family.
Framing the games as a battle between the sexes misses a far more meaningful American story — one about brotherly love and the cultural importance of tight-knit families.
Take the Hughes brothers, Jack and Quinn. They were roommates at the Olympics and each other’s biggest cheerleaders on the men’s hockey team. Earlier in the Olympic Games, Jack said, “The best part for me is being here with Quinn. We’re lucky that we get to share our first Olympics with our mom, too. Who gets to say that? It’s pretty special.”
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After having two teeth knocked out, Jack scored the winning goal in overtime so that the men’s hockey team won gold for the first time since 1980. In a postgame interview, Jack celebrated by talking about how proud he is of being American. He didn’t celebrate alone. He skated with his brother Quinn and an American flag. Quinn said of his brother, “I’m just so proud of him. He’s had two shoulder surgeries, and he’s so young, he’s only 24. People have no idea how hard this journey has been for him, dealing with injuries and battling through so much to be the player he is. I mean, he loves this game more than anyone. He’s one of the best players in the world, and I’m so glad everyone got to see why today.”
What a beautiful illustration of the bond these brothers have. These brothers embody loyalty, sacrifice, and love of country. And it’s incredible that their mother also won gold by helping the women’s hockey team as a player development consultant. Their family won big in Italy!
Haley Winn’s story is a victory for big families these days. Her three older brothers became unlikely Olympic celebrities for their eagle masks, matching outfits, and unapologetically loud support of their sister and Team USA women’s hockey. The touching tribute these older brothers left in a message of support for her is a tearjerker.
“We can’t wait to cheer you on as you continue to push forward. Watching you get to live out your dream is a blessing. No matter the outcome of these games, it doesn’t change who you are. You have three older brothers that now look up to you. You will always be our champion. Love you, Bug. Love you, Sis. Love you, Sissy.”
In an era of shrinking families and social fragmentation, messages like this remind Americans what strong sibling bonds look like.
These aren’t just feel-good moments. They point to something deeper about what America needs more of.
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At a time when America is facing a record-low fertility rate, rising loneliness, and declining marriage rates, these stories about families are great for American culture. They show the best in men: brotherly love and big families.
America doesn’t need another round of men-versus-women medal-counting. It needs more families that raise sons who cheer for their sisters and brothers and parents who build homes strong enough to send multiple children to the Olympics. That is a cultural victory worth celebrating.
Karin Lips (@klips) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog. She is the founder and president of the Network of Enlightened Women and a senior fellow with the Independent Women’s Forum.