by Tony Rucinski, Coalition for Marriage
Dr Jennifer Bauwens is Director of the Center for Family Studies at the Family Research Council, a leading US think-tank established by Dr James Dobson over 40 years ago. We got together to discuss the clear evidence her organisation produces, which highlights why one-man one-woman marriage remains foundational to society and children’s wellbeing. We also explore why policymakers seem reluctant to directly encourage fathers to remain actively involved in family life, despite overwhelming evidence supporting its benefits, and we discuss practical steps to address this reluctance. I encourage you to watch the full interview here.
Dr Bauwens highlights how strong families directly correlate to better mental health outcomes for children, notably emphasising the profound impact of early childhood trauma on family stability. Statistically it does matter, she says, emphasising the proven advantages for children raised by their biological mother and father in a stable marriage. The discussion addresses why society often hesitates to acknowledge this reality, partly due to an overemphasis on individual choices over proven truths.