In collaboration with the Center of Health and Families and the Institute for Family Studies, the Texas Public Policy Foundation's (TPPF) released new research hoping to emphasize the crucial role of family in society and Texas. The study, released on September 30, 2024, advocates for public policies aimed at supporting family formation and outlines several strategies to bolster family structures in Texas.
Greg Sindelar, CEO of TPPF, underscored the importance of the nuclear family, describing it as essential for Texas' continued success. The research, conducted in partnership with Brad Wilcox, a prominent sociologist and director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, presents evidence for the benefits of stable two-parent families on children's well-being.
The study proposes four key strategies to strengthen families in Texas. These include introducing the 'Success Sequence' in schools, promoting marriage through various incentives, establishing a Commission on Men and Boys to address challenges facing males, and reducing regulatory barriers in housing to support family formation.
Andrew Brown, Vice President of Policy at TPPF, expressed concern over the declining rates of marriage and child-rearing in Texas. He believes these trends pose significant risks to the state's social and economic health, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues through targeted policy interventions.
The research findings argue that intact families have a positive impact on reducing child poverty and domestic violence in Texas. By promoting stable family structures, TPPF aims to create a more robust social and economic foundation for the state's future generations.
While the study focuses primarily on Texas, according to the authors, its implications extend beyond state borders. The proposed strategies align with broader national conversations about family policy, social welfare, and economic stability. The research hopes to contribute valuable insights to ongoing debates about the role of government in supporting and promoting family structures.
For those interested in delving deeper into the research findings and policy recommendations, the Texas Public Policy Foundation has made the full paper and a recording of the event available on their YouTube page.
