Recently, our pro-family counterpart in Ohio released a new report that includes a ranking of states based on family stability and sustainability. The Family Structure Index measures which states provide the strongest foundation for children’s well-being and long-term economic stability by analyzing key demographic and fertility data.
Massachusetts ranks 46 out of 50 states.
The Index focuses on the share of adult residents of a state who are married, have children, and raise those children together through the child’s high-school years, specifically:
- the percentage of adults ages 25 to 54 in the state who are married,
- the average number of lifetime births per woman per state (total fertility rate); and
- the percentage of children in the state who are living with their married birth or adoptive parents at ages 15 to 17.
Index scores lower than 60 mean one, two, or all three of the component standard scores are below national average levels.
Led by Dr. Brad Wilcox, Professor of Sociology and Director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, this research was conducted in partnership with the Center for Christian Virtue and the Institute for Family Studies. Its findings underscore the undeniable link between strong families and thriving communities, emphasizing the urgent need for policies that protect and strengthen marriage, family life, and parental rights.
The benefits of marriage and family for men, women, children, and society as a whole cannot be overstated. Traditional family values, marriage, fidelity, sexual purity, all have objective, measurable value to our culture and communities – the census and social science back that up, and we have previously made the case with the latest data available in our report, Fatherlessness in Massachusetts, The Economic and Social Costs to our Commonwealth.
Like our Fatherlessness Report the Index underscores critical challenges facing families in the Commonwealth, reinforcing the need for MFI’s leadership on policies that promote family stability. The erosion of Judeo-Christian values from our cultural and political landscape has led to the decline of the family.
That’s why MFI tirelessly advocates for laws and policies that uphold parental rights, religious freedom, child protections, and the integrity of marriage and rigorously defends fundamental rights through the Massachusetts Liberty Legal Center.
It’s also why we are actively partnering with faith leaders through our exciting Church-Based Learning Center Initiative, equipping parents and churches to take back the education of children.
Thanks to our faithful supporters, MFI is safeguarding faith, family, and freedom in the Commonwealth—make a generous gift today to strengthen Massachusetts families and advance this crucial mission.
