Written by Defending Ideas
July 21, 2023
Utah has enjoyed a longstanding perch atop various state economic and societal rankings, including job growth, happiness, upward mobility, and more. New research shows how that success is tied to the stability of Utah families, and why the decline in some key indicators of family structure should concern you.
Sutherland Institute Visiting Scholar Brad Wilcox joins the podcast to discuss his new report: “The Utah Family Miracle: Five Policy Ideas to Keep Utah Families Strong and Stable.”
The report – issued jointly with Institute for Family Studies and co-authored by Jenet Erickson and Patrick Brown – unveils how marriage and family structure are significant contributors to Utah’s best-in-the-nation status for things like economic opportunity, happiness, and strong civic and social life. The report explores the significance of data showing that marriage and family formation are on the decline. It also offers five concrete policy recommendations to Utah policymakers that will maintain and build upon Utah’s success as a national leader for strong families and a vibrant economy.
In addition to his role with Sutherland, Brad is the director of the National Marriage Project, a professor of sociology at University of Virginia, a senior fellow at the Institute for Family Studies, and a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
Additional show notes:
- Access the full report here.
- Read “The ‘Utah family miracle’ and why it matters,” originally published in Deseret News
- Visit the Sutherland family policy issues page: Policy | Family – Sutherland Institute
- Utah survey data on working parent preferences: Parents want more time with their kids. We should find ways to help them – Sutherland Institute
Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, by equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.