I just read your Freeman essay and have now reread this one. As for the best family policy, that would be the post-WW2 one of thriving prosperity which doesn't look likely very soon. But a "felt security" in young couples seems key. So yes, let's have prosperity, vitality, and growth. Also, God helps those that help themselves.
What I have to say next, you may find objectionable. In 2025, 40% of all children born in the United States were born to single mothers. In 1960, that number was 5.3%. One in four American children now live without a biological, step, or adoptive father in the home. That's 1.44 million children - yet seen from the father’s side, this is each of those men removed from their own children's daily lives. In action, this has also become a cultural message to men that their presence in a family is now dispensable. Being a single mom is "brave", that's the other message. Is there any wonder in why so many young men are moving away from family formation when they themselves might have come from broken homes? And regrettably, if there was once a happy wedding no-fault divorce policy; which women most often initiate, reduces a father's role almost down to the responsibility his child support after he's been kicked out of the home. Perhaps the children will find then discover the confusion of a new "dad" when he moves in.
Is there any way for you to notice what is being done to young men and their children here?
It's deplorable. What would you have me do, though? I don't glorify single motherhood. I have a strong respect for paternal rights. I'm very pro-marriage. And I think my general skepticism of the welfare state is also favorable to promotion of marriage and stronger family structures. People are likelier to struggle to make it work with one another when they don't feel strong assurance that the state will meet all their needs.
Though I am not as such any great champion of no-fault divorce, I doubt much good can be done through its abolishment. Probably raising the bar on marriage would just discourage more people from getting married in the first place. So that may not be a particularly promising route, from a policy perspective. As a Catholic I don't really believe in divorce (at least for me and others who are sacramentally married).
If there's something further you think should be said or done, I'd love to hear it. Kids need fathers. I certainly agree on that.
I just read your Freeman essay and have now reread this one. As for the best family policy, that would be the post-WW2 one of thriving prosperity which doesn't look likely very soon. But a "felt security" in young couples seems key. So yes, let's have prosperity, vitality, and growth. Also, God helps those that help themselves.
What I have to say next, you may find objectionable. In 2025, 40% of all children born in the United States were born to single mothers. In 1960, that number was 5.3%. One in four American children now live without a biological, step, or adoptive father in the home. That's 1.44 million children - yet seen from the father’s side, this is each of those men removed from their own children's daily lives. In action, this has also become a cultural message to men that their presence in a family is now dispensable. Being a single mom is "brave", that's the other message. Is there any wonder in why so many young men are moving away from family formation when they themselves might have come from broken homes? And regrettably, if there was once a happy wedding no-fault divorce policy; which women most often initiate, reduces a father's role almost down to the responsibility his child support after he's been kicked out of the home. Perhaps the children will find then discover the confusion of a new "dad" when he moves in.
Is there any way for you to notice what is being done to young men and their children here?
It's deplorable. What would you have me do, though? I don't glorify single motherhood. I have a strong respect for paternal rights. I'm very pro-marriage. And I think my general skepticism of the welfare state is also favorable to promotion of marriage and stronger family structures. People are likelier to struggle to make it work with one another when they don't feel strong assurance that the state will meet all their needs.
Though I am not as such any great champion of no-fault divorce, I doubt much good can be done through its abolishment. Probably raising the bar on marriage would just discourage more people from getting married in the first place. So that may not be a particularly promising route, from a policy perspective. As a Catholic I don't really believe in divorce (at least for me and others who are sacramentally married).
If there's something further you think should be said or done, I'd love to hear it. Kids need fathers. I certainly agree on that.
Okay, can’t respond to you now, September evenings are just too pleasant.
Later…