Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Editorial: Marriage can be a safety net
Children of single parents are far more likely to live in poverty.
From the RoundTable blog
Read the latest entries
After it helped win passage of a constitutional amendment in Virginia banning same-sex marriage, the Richmond-based Family Foundation took to heart criticism that it should focus more on strengthening traditional marriage.
As part of that effort, President Victoria Cobb is asking Gov. Tim Kaine to ensure that his poverty task force gives full credit to the role of marriage in preventing poverty.
"A healthy, stable marriage is the best safety net for men, women and children," she said at a recent press conference. Plenty of statistics prove Cobb right on this point. Children of divorced parents are far more likely to live in poverty than the children of intact marriages.
The co-chairwoman of the task force -- Marilyn Tavenner, Virginia's health and human resources secretary -- agreed that the panel should look at initiatives to strengthen marriage.
"We agree. It's a big piece, but it's not the only piece," Tavenner said.
Del. Bill Janus, R-Henrico County, said the state could partner with community and faith-based groups to provide training to engaged couples and parents. Tavenner pointed out that the state already provides funding for several parenting and marriage workshops.
Marriage provides many values to society, and efforts to keep couples, especially parents, together and to reduce the number of out-of-wedlock births could definitely have an impact on poverty.
We're pleased to see the Family Foundation work on keeping traditional families together rather than single-mindedly focusing on preventing less traditional couples from enjoying the benefits of marriage.
