The Most Important Institution In The World

By Armstrong Williams

The single most overlooked reason why America struggles is simple: Divorce.

Nearly 60 percent of marriages end in divorce and most of the social problems in our country can be traced back to this embarrassing fact.

It may sound radical or even naïve to blame our social problems on divorce, but until we start thinking of marriage as that important, our country will never reach its potential.

A strong marriage creates a strong household. A strong household produces strong children. Strong children produce a strong society. It's a cyclical affect that has been forgotten and ignored in the last 50 years. Until our leaders start fighting for marriage in Congress, our churches start focusing on marriage in their temples, and each of us start laboring for our marriage in our households, our country will continue to fall short.

The couple, children, and society benefit from a strong marriage. When in a committed, loving, and monogamous relationship we feel complete. A loving spouse picks up where we leave off, makes up for our deficiencies, and brings out the very best in us. Children also feel more complete when their parents are happy together. Getting love and support from both parents enables children to grow up educated, confident, loving, productive, and principled. Society benefits because a strong marriage produces children who generally become productive members of society. The advantages of a strong marriage and two parent household are literally limitless, and sadly the disadvantages of divorce and single parent households are just as limitless.

Single parent households hurt the adults, children, and society. The adults must work more hours to recoup lost income. One parent is expected to handle most, if not all, of the parenting. Each adult often feels alone, lost, depressed, and confused after losing their spouse. The children have one less person helping, nurturing, and loving them on a daily basis. They have a harder time understanding what a committed relationship entails because they miss out on seeing their parents in love. Society suffers because children who grow up in single parent households are more likely to be raised by grandparents or daycare volunteers which can retard development. These children tend to grow up with less confidence and security, and arguments have been made that they are slower to mature, learn, and produce positive results. Yes many parents who run a single parent home have done wonderful, admirable jobs raising their children by themselves, but they shouldn't have to. And likewise, many children who grew up in single parent homes have gone on to live healthy, happy, and productive lives, but they shouldn't have to either.

A strong marriage makes for strong children, which makes for a strong society. Marriage is more important than any institution in the world - more important than public schools, healthcare, or the military. It is perhaps the most important aspect of our society and without a doubt, it is now failing. We need to take a long, hard look at practical and creative ways to fix the problem. And we need to take a long, hard look at ourselves to see how each of us can again make the institution of marriage the cornerstone of our country.