Family Structure Matters

There’s a plethora of evidence that children raised by a married mom and dad often do extremely well in measurable ways. Research shows they tend to have lower rates of behavioral issues, better academic outcomes, and stronger emotional resilience. The stability of an intact family can create a consistent environment, with two people splitting the parenting load and modeling teamwork.

Children from single-parent homes are more likely to face poverty—about 40% of single-mother households in the U.S. were below the poverty line in recent years, compared to under 10% for married-couple families. Poverty can amplify stress, limit resources, and increase exposure to risky environments, which can feed into crime and substance issues. Academic performance often takes a hit too—studies like those from the National Center for Education Statistics suggest kids with two married parents are more likely to graduate high school and score higher on standardized tests.

Political and religious leaders must be bold enough to tell the truth about the importance of marriage and family. Moreover, a return to biblical standards would help today's generation leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

That requires preaching the stats loud and clear: kids in married households tend to have better odds—lower poverty (U.S. Census data shows married families at 6% poverty vs. 31% for single-parent ones), less drug use, higher graduation rates. Pair that with a biblical pitch—Genesis 2’s “man and wife as one flesh” or Proverbs 22 on raising kids right—and it’s a potent combo.

This will require fervent prayer, dedicated consistency and perseverance. We will need God's help in stirring hearts and minds to these truths.