The strength of a nation is measured by the strength of its families. The more chaos in the individual family structure, the more chaos in the country overall.
With that in mind, about 10 states, including Utah, have introduced programs designed to strengthen marriages, and that is a good thing.A number of Utah couples recently attended the Governor's Initiative on Families Today (GIFT), a marriage enrichment seminar. Gov. Mike Leavitt and his wife, Jacalyn, headed the program, which was created in 1994 with a grant from the Utah Legislature "to foster a climate that nurtures and enhances healthy, positive, caring, family interaction."
With divorce rates high nationwide, it makes sense to focus on preventive measures to strengthen the family.
Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has declared a "state of marital emergency." He told Pam Belluck of the New York Times, he is exploring, among other things, a tax credit for couples taking a marital course.
Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating has unveiled a $10 million "marriage initiative" program, designed to encourage families to appreciate the lifetime commitment of a marriage contract and to recognize that a marriage that can be saved should be saved. "Tell me the sense of a system where it is easier to get a marriage license than it is to get a hunting or driver's license, easier to get out of a marriage with children than it is to get out of a Tupperware contract," Keating told Belluck.
What works in Oklahoma may not in California or New York, but states like Oklahoma are to be commended for recognizing the importance of healthy marriages and for trying to do something to ensure them. Governments have a legitimate interest in strengthening the bonds of married couples.
William J. Doherty, professor of family social science at the University of Minnesota, said research suggests that the emotional fallout for children of divorce does not fade but worsens with time, causing them "trouble getting into stable adult relationships." And, he said, research indicates that most divorces are not preceded by severe conflicts, suggesting that many marriages could be repaired.
Doherty helped write a bill that was passed by the Minnesota Legislature, giving $50 off a $75 marriage license fee if couples take a 12-hour premarital class. Florida has a similar program.
These various acts of prevention may save states and families a lot of heartache and financial woes. A lot of divorced women, particularly those with children, find themselves on welfare roles.
But do not be confused. These state-supported efforts, which feature a fundamental approach, are not to be confused with various private-sector enrichment or encounter programs, many of which rely on unorthodox approaches. Couples should be wary of those.
Ultimately, states can do only so much. It is up to each individual to do what he or she can to strengthen families and honor the marriage commitment.