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Home > State and Community Stakeholders > State Stakeholders
State Stakeholders
In recent years, several states have shown a desire to take a more active role in promoting healthy marriages and healthy relationships. As a state leader you may want to see what steps other states have taken to strengthen relationships. You may also want to familiarize yourself with the research behind these activities, what other leaders have said in support of marriage activities, and consider funding opportunities. In this section we highlight some of the many reasons why healthy marriage matters to states.
There are many avenues for states to support efforts to encourage healthy relationships. There are also many types of leaders who can move an idea into action. Whether you are an elected official or staff, in a department of human services or association, this section is designed to provide the tools you need to develop strong policy ideas that will strengthen families in your state.
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Why Healthy Marriage Matters to States
Many policymakers and government officials are interested in identifying innovative strategies to promote social well-being in a cost effective manner. Healthy marriage programs which may include relationship education for youth, premarital preparation for engaged couples or marriage enrichment programs for married couples are prevention strategies. These prevention programs are based on research that indicates that healthy marriages can:
- Be achieved for many people through skills based education;
- Lead to positive outcomes for men, women and children; and
- Strengthen communities.
Marriage is not a social panacea. Healthy marriage education programs are a strategy that can be added to the menu of social services. This will encourage stable families while still providing support to those who are most vulnerable or at risk.
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Marriage Matters for Children
- Marriage is associated with an amazing list of benefits for children. In fact, researchers say that children raised by their own married parents do better, on average, than children that aren't, across all notable measures. Children that grow up with their own married parents are more likely to succeed in school and in social situations. They are also more likely to marry and to succeed at their own marriages.
- Many children raised by single parents, step parents, grandparents or others experience an array of positive outcomes. Parents work very hard to raise happy and high-achieving children. However, research indicates that the support of two biological married parents raising their child(ren) is, on average, better for children.
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Marriage Matters for Adults
- A stable, healthy marriage provides many benefits for adults. Compared to unmarried people, research shows that, on average, married men and women live longer, have better mental and physical health , report being happier , have higher incomes and build more wealth . Even in marriages that couples say are only "good-enough" the adults and their children do better than others that live without the benefits of marriage. Building a healthy marriage takes work but the benefits indicate that it is worth the effort provided that the relationship is free from violence or any other negative influences.
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Marriage Matters for Communities
- Strong, healthy marriages benefit the community. Cicero, a famous Roman philosopher who lived more than 2000 years ago, said "the first bond of society is marriage." Some may consider this an outdated idea, others firmly believe that this holds true today. Couples who work together to raise children, maintain a household, contribute to the economy and support their extended family can strengthen their community. Many communities have brought leaders from the business sector, faith community, education, and government to create a coalition that supports marriage. Providing supports such as marriage mentors, premarital education and a commitment to offering relationship skills can strengthen a community.
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State Healthy Marriage Activities
States have a vital interest in promoting healthy marriage as a way to increase or maintain economic self-sufficiency, improve child well-being, decrease nonmarital child bearing, and increase community stability. States also have a vital role to play in the efforts to encourage healthy marriages. Examples of how states can support healthy marriage include but are not limited to:
- Designing marriage education programs using TANF or other government dollars
- Reducing the marriage license fee for couples who complete a pre-marital preparation course
- Teaching youth in schools about healthy relationships
- Working with community leaders to develop community marriage policies
- Designing incentives for employers or Employee Assistance Plans to offer marriage education workshops
- Encouraging community and social service organizations to add marriage education to their menu of services
- Partnering with the faith community to increase the offering of marriage and pre-marital education services
- Implementing covenant marriage laws or other policies
Some states have taken steps to accomplish these goals in their legislature, through the governor's office, through the attorney general's office or through administrative law that guides social service delivery systems.
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What Policymakers Say About Healthy Marriage
Many policymakers and government officials are interested in increasing and sustaining healthy marriages in the U.S. as a strategy to promote social well-being. In this section we provide examples of how various policymakers have publicly discussed marriage. Please check back for updates, as this section will expand in the future.
"To encourage marriage and promote the well-being of children, I have proposed a healthy marriage initiative to help couples develop the skills and knowledge to form and sustain healthy marriages. Research has shown that, on average, children raised in households headed by married parents fare better than children who grow up in other family structures. Through education and counseling programs, faith-based, community, and government organizations promote healthy marriages and a better quality of life for children. By supporting responsible child-rearing and strong families, my Administration is seeking to ensure that every child can grow up in a safe and loving home."
President George W. Bush - February, 2002
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President George W. Bush
Dr. Wade Horn – Former Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Testimony before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on the District of Columbia Committee on Appropriations – May 3, 2006
- "Wedded to Marriage: Invest Now or Pay Later"
 August 9, 2005 National Review Online
- Testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee on Children and Families, April 28, 2004
- "Promoting Self-sufficiency, Protecting Children and Strengthening Marriage" Summary of Remarks at the University of Washington’s Center for Research on Families, Dec 5, 2002
- Testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance on Welfare Reform and Healthy Marriage – May 16, 2002
Howard H. Hendrick, Director, Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Don Winstead, Deputy Secretary, Florida Department of Children and Families
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State Policies and Laws
There are a wide range of marriage-related state policies and laws. State laws regulate everything from who can get married, and how you can divorce to the use of public dollars to support healthy marriage programs. For in-depth information on how these policies and laws vary across states and for information on how states can use these policies and laws to promote and strengthen marriage, we recommend you consult the documents below.
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