The Importance of Family Structure

Research highlights the critical role that family structure plays in the well-being of children, emphasizing that the decline in marriage rates and the rise of single-parent households over the past 40 years have serious implications for the younger generation. Data shows that only 63% of U.S. children live with married parents, a significant drop from 77% in previous decades, with a staggering 30% living outside of a two-parent home. These trends disproportionately affect children from families with lower educational attainment, further entrenching socioeconomic disparities. Making strong families a national priority could mitigate these challenges and promote better outcomes for children.