The future of America depends on flourishing families
This essay is a part of The Right Way Forward, Restoring America’s new think tank debate series in which leading conservative institutions argue the defining questions of the post-Trump era. Read about the series here.
TL;DR
- The percentage of married couples in American households has decreased significantly since 1970, and the median age for first marriage has increased.
- A higher rate of children are born to unmarried parents and live with single parents in the US compared to other countries.
- The Heritage Foundation published a policy paper, 'Saving America by Saving the Family,' offering recommendations to reverse family decline.
- The article critiques liberal responses to family strengthening efforts and notes disagreements within the conservative movement regarding government's role and messaging.
- The paper criticizes proposals like widespread IVF access and surrogacy as insufficient for flourishing families, advocating for a pro-marriage vision.
- The proposed Newlywed Early Starters Trust (NEST) accounts aim to incentivize marriage by age 30 through financial contributions tied to childbirth.