NEWS RELEASE
New study shows children in such families have fewer problems at home and at school
Madison, WI – A new study released by Wisconsin Family Council finds that children have fewer problems at school and home when they live with both biological parents and frequently attend religious services. Drs. Nicholas Zill and Philip Fletcher co-authored the new study which analyzes data from the National Survey of Children’s Health.
Among their remarkable findings: children in this group are five times less likely to repeat a grade, less likely to have behavior problems at home and school, and are more likely to be cooperative and understanding of others’ feelings. Parents of these children report less stress, healthier parent-child relationships, and fewer concerns about their children’s achievement. These differences hold up even after controlling for family income and poverty, low parent education levels, and race and ethnicity.
"It should not surprise us that social science data uphold what we’ve known for generations: children do best when they’re living with their biological or adopted mother and father and are taught moral responsibility," said Julaine Appling, CEO of Wisconsin Family Council. "Children thrive under the community and moral structure of a church."
According to the 2003 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), Wisconsin ranks 12th in the country with 62.8% of children 6-17 years old living with both biological or adoptive parents. The state meets the national average with 75% of children 6-17 years old who attend religious services weekly to monthly. However, those numbers do not represent the percentage of Wisconsin children living in intact families and regularly attending religious services—the optimal environment for positive child development.
Virtually every aspect of culture and politics eventually impacts the family unit. Church and community leaders, as well as politicians and concerned citizens, need to honestly evaluate current and proposed policies and initiatives to determine whether they support or hurt the best possible situation for children. "Our priority as citizens, leaders and politicians should be to support intact families, encourage religious attendance and shore up those families where one—or both—parents are missing in action," said Appling.
Children are the future of Wisconsin. For the welfare of Wisconsin’s children and the state, citizens, leaders and elected officials all have a responsibility to support and promote the family unit identified by this study as the best situation for the development of children in Wisconsin
A copy of the study can be downloaded at www.wifamilycouncil.org or by contacting Wisconsin Family Council at 888-378-7395 for the study or for further comment.
Wisconsin Family Council is a statewide not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization committed to serving Wisconsin’s citizens, churches and policymakers by informing, inspiring and involving each group in strengthening and preserving marriage, family, life and liberty in Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.wifamilycouncil.org or call 1-888-378-7395.