In our opinion: Are 'family values' outdated? Traditional family becoming the exception rather than the norm

They discover that intentionally embracing specific contemporary and traditional values provides significant resilience and happiness in marriage. The contemporary ethic they identify as marital generosity, in which domestic tasks are shared, personal interests of a spouse are encouraged, spouses go out of their way to show affection and forgiveness, and romance and intimacy are fostered. The traditional values that make a significant difference in happiness and stability include fidelity, commitment, thrift, supportive friendships and weekly family participation in religious services.

Maintaining healthy families has never been an easy task. Nonetheless, if society is serious about maintaining the physical and emotional well being of children, it can't be neutral about supporting the bonding of biological parents. And if we are eager to support successful parental bonding, we can't be neutral about the importance of marriage and the values, habits and behaviors that keep it resilient and healthy.

Instead of questioning whether family values are outdated, we should seek to foster support through policy and civil society for what we know works to achieve the ends that we agree on.