Strengthening The Family

Over the past two generations there has been an astonishing decline in family life, especially in poor and minority urban communities, where non-marital birth rates, unmarried cohabitation, and divorce are extremely prevalent. Understandably, this has become of growing concern to clergy in these communities. But, despite many millions spent on family research, it remains unknown what role religious institutions are playing, or could play, in strengthening families. Have any congregations discovered an effective approach to fostering more stable marriages and in persuading young men to marry the women who bear their children? Can such programs be devised? ISR has scholars qualified and committed to this initiative and who have held preliminary conversations with a remarkable group of minority clergy, all of whom are eager to proceed.