There exist societal ideas that thrive on the mere thought of controlling people's lifes to the fullest extent. They cannot imagine a live where there is no authortity that you either are yourself, or that tou can appeal to or believe in. Ironically it is those people who tend to have the most "dirty secrets" because of their suppressed sexuality and authotarian mindset.
They always think everybody is like them and also has those secrets. But because they are ashamed about themselves, they need to prove to the rest of us they don't have any of those well hidden dirty secrets. The best way they see to do that is to go all hard on everybody else while they always feel there should be exceptions for themselves. The kids are just a good pretense for this, they don't give a damn about them.
Source: I grew up in a catholic country, where the right wing province leader had a secret gay relationship while going hard against homosexuality.
They always think everybody is like them and also has those secrets. But because they are ashamed about themselves, they need to prove to the rest of us they don't have any of those well hidden dirty secrets. The best way they see to do that is to go all hard on everybody else while they always feel there should be exceptions for themselves. The kids are just a good pretense for this, they don't give a damn about them.
Source: I grew up in a catholic country, where the right wing province leader had a secret gay relationship while going hard against homosexuality.