Family in the 21st century

Introduction

During the course of the paper, I will describe the family in the 21st century. I will note various family forms and then speak about the outcomes for children from these.

I will suggest that the family, as it is traditionally understood, generally provides the best outcomes for children as they prepare for adult life; that substantive research indicates that children nurtured by a two-biological-parent married couple fare better across a wide range of outcomes than those from other family forms.

I will argue that if we accept that raising children is vital to the social good, then we should ask what environment provides the best preparation for life for our children. My contention is that the two-biological-parent married couple is generally the best environment for preparing children for life.

This being the case, I will ask why the family—as it has been classically understood—has been injured, and what policies and initiatives might restore its dignity.