Community and Marriage Sociological Findings

Agenda 1. Introductions 2. Marriage positively affects community 6. Q & A 5. Conclusion 4. Community counters culture 3. Community positively affects marriage

Introductions Avery Pettway Chaney Mullins Family Research Council National Marriage Project Sociology and Religion “To understand God's thoughts, we must study statistics for these are the measure of His purpose.” -Florence Nightingale

Marriage Affects Community: Economy “Marriage is an important public good, associated with a range of economic, health, educational and safety benefits that help local, state, and federal governments serve the common good.” (Why Marriage Matters) GDP report (MARRI, 2011)

Marriage Affects Community: Income Inequality “The benefits of marriage extend to poor, working-class and minority communities, despite the fact that marriage has weakened in these communities in the last four decades.” (Why Marriage Matters) Birth rates rise in low income communities. Proportion of kids in upper vs lower income communities is starker, meaning that soon most children born will be born in lower income communities where out of wedlock birth is much more likely.

Marriage Affects Community: Economic Mobility “Lower-income kids from both single- and married-parent families are more likely to succeed if they hail from a community with lots of two-parent families.” “The ‘land[s] of opportunity’ in America is that communities characterized by a thriving middle class, racial and economic integration, better schools, a vibrant civil society, and, especially, strong two-parent families are more likely to foster the kind of equality of opportunity that has recently drawn the attention of Democrats and Republicans alike.” (Slate: “Family Matters: What’s the most important factor blocking social mobility? Single parents, suggests a new study.”)attention

Marriage Affects Community: Education

Marriage Affects Community: Ethnic Diversity “Children growing up in communities that are racially segregated, or cluster lots of poor kids together, do not have a great shot at the American Dream.” (Slate) Ethnic segregation also decreases upward mobility, a reason to have diverse communities at church, that minorities might have more mobility through both racial integration and through encountering a strong marriage culture, which are related.

Community Affects Marriage: Religion Misconception: “50% of marriages end in divorce, even amongst Christians.” about 40% marriages end in divorce Men and women who attend church together are more likely to succeed in their marriages and more than 35% less likely to divorce.

Community Affects Marriage: Religion

Community Affects Marriage: Social Capital “Communities with more social capital enjoy significantly higher levels of absolute mobility for poor children. That is, communities across America that have high levels of religiosity, civic engagement, and voter involvement are more likely to lift the fortunes of their poorest members.” (Slate) Social Capital is a safety net for social and relational needs. Which then extend to economic needs. Acceptance Accountability Advice Assistance Activity

Community Affects Marriage: Alternative Families Generational Relevance Stability and Adventure Spiritual Families “The intact majority bolsters the non-intact few, and all can be pushed towards mobility and strength—so long as marriage is the dominant culture of the community.” (Avery Pettway: “Marriage Minded Community”) “If we hope to avoid this broken outcome becoming our national standard of success, married couples must be the driving force in encouraging and supporting marriage for their communities.” (Avery Pettway: “Marriage Minded Community”)

Community Counters Culture: Re-emphasizing Marriage “Single parents and broken family structures are becoming more the norm in the United States as divorces increase, out-of-wedlock births rise among many people groups, and marriage loses public and political esteem.” (Avery Pettway: Marriage Minded Community) marri – Annual Report on Family Trends:2011

Community Counters Culture: Young Marriage The stability of young marriage carries into grad school/career OR The individualism of grad school/career carries into marriage As higher income communities delay marriage, they face issues of lower marital happiness, premarital abortion rates, and later infertility due to age. Both a higher age at first birth and abortion are also linked to an increased breast cancer risk in some studies. CAPSTONE OR CORNERSTONE?

Learn More marri.us nationalmarriageproject.org

Conclusion: Strengthening Marriage and Community at Truro Symbiotic Meeting Amore Groups That’s Amore! March 1st 9:00-3:30 The Marriage Course Q & A