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The Alliance for Marriage (AFM) was a 501(c)(3) non-profit research and education organization committed to upholding marriage and addressing the deep-rooted issue of fatherless families across the United States. AFM existed to educate the public, the media, elected officials, and civil society leaders on the benefits of marriage for children, adults, and society. AFM also existed to promote reforms designed to strengthen the institution of marriage and restore a culture of married fatherhood in America.

The Alliance for Marriage was committed to supporting the following public policy and civil society reforms:
 

Reduce the tax burden on married families with children.

Make adoption affordable for more married couples by providing increased tax incentives for adoption.

Require counseling aimed at reconciling married couples, to be offered for wives and husbands considering a divorce in families with children before a divorce is granted.

Eliminate all federal and state-level welfare laws which act to [...]

We already know that healthy marriages are a critical element of a healthy and happy home life in America. The benefits of marriage extend well beyond and into the realm of the quality of society itself, through heightened community participation and superior educational outcomes in children.

In this article, we tackle the topic of marriage, divorce, and educational outcomes in children. We want to know: exactly how much do two-parent homes contribute toward competence and performance in school life? And how can we keep families strong in order to maximize the opportunities and success of young people today?

ABC News led with a fascinating story in 2011 regarding a 6-year-old boy whose troubles in school were initially chalked up to ADHD. The boy’s father describes his attempts to shelter the [...]

No secret has been made in mass media or public circles of the skyrocketing rate of divorce across the western world in the latter part of the 20th century. “50% of marriages end in divorce” may be the most widely quoted (and misquoted) statistic in all of the public discourse we hear. But there must be more to divorce than mere headlines can reveal. This article investigates divorce in a more nuanced and analytical fashion to reveal interesting facts that may offer clues in our attempts to understand the future trajectory of divorce and devise measures to reverse the increases.

The advantages at an individual and societal level are abundantly clear and there is a true consensus across political parties that we must do more to help keep marriages from falling apart. However, the proposed strategies for achieving this are as disparate as the voices from which they emerge. By examining the historical data behind [...]

Old wisdom existed in many forms but no traditional societal institution has been more cherished and valued across the world than marriage. For thousands of years, marriage was upheld as a non-negotiable legal, religious, and social contract necessary for the recognition of romantic relationships between men and women.

At its roots, marriage is a means of enfranchisement. Lifelong monogamy gives the largest possible share of both men and women a stake in the future prosperity of their communities. Having children gives a father and mother a profound reason to invest in tomorrow — knowing that their legacy will continue for generation(s) to come.

It has also been known for millennia that children need two parents to maximize their chances of flourishing socially and economically. A combination of strong female and male role models help give children a variety and depth in their experiences with adults.

As with many ancient rites, [...]

INTRODUCTION

Americans are working longer and harder, and married Americans are no exception. But married Americans — particularly those with children — are bearing an even greater strain on their lives. Long commutes, juggling schedules, children’s activities, and keeping the home running all pull married workers in many directions. And these pressures often spill over into their work life.

While family and life pressures can pull married workers in many directions, solutions are available that are attractive to employers as well as married employees. With sustained economic growth, a correspondingly tighter labor market, and qualified workers at a premium, employers are increasingly responding to employee needs. Employers increasingly recognize that a healthy work-life balance for their employees avoids burnout, reduces turnover, prevents relational problems and ultimately means benefits for business. As a result, more employers are voluntarily taking steps to help their workers to better balance their job responsibilities with their responsibilities to their spouse [...]