Coronavirus crisis reminds us of eternal truths about marriage and family
In today's world, everything has apparently been turned into something political. Eternal truths and universal experiences are ignored, rejected and ridiculed as outdated and even fanatical. Institutions like marriage and the family are being reshaped in political paradigms in the service
of emerging ideologies. Even science is despised in order to advance the ideology of gender.
Despite constant attempts by groups, especially those on the left, to transform everything into political matters, much of life has nothing to do with politics and ideology. Take the example of marriage. The institution of marriage is not political despite the ceaseless efforts of the left to turn marriage into a political battle, as leftists have sought to redefine it in law in many countries of the world. Marriage is what it is - a universal and timeless relationship between men and women that brings together two halves of humanity to form families to care for children born
of their union. This has been its object since the dawn of time.
From time to time, global developments transcend politics and we return to the security and familiarity of eternal truths. We are in such a moment with the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis. Around the world, whether by force of government edict or by common sense, people are turning to their homes to protect themselves and their children. As people take shelter or practice the new art of "social distancing," many are rediscovering the experience of universal life that families with children built on marriage are better placed to manage the crisis.
Of course, this has some practical elements. With two parents at home, the couple can share responsibilities or take care of the details of the accommodation on site. We may be better placed to work from home; perhaps the spouse can be free to do home schooling or supervise distance education. One spouse may be more threatened by a layoff than the other. One may have better access to financial support than the other. Research shows that married couples are more economically stable and accumulate more wealth than lone parents
or those living in cohabiting relationships. This will prove very useful during this crisis.
But beyond the economy, there is family dynamics. The essence of the conjugal relationship is complementarity. Men and women are made
for each other, body and soul, equal in all respects. But equality is not about similarity. Men and women are not the same, they bring different strengths and approaches to everyday life, including child care. This will be useful and beneficial for children now, during the crisis and, later, when it goes away. A child at home with mom and dad is likely to see first-hand what research has clearly documented:
I hope we will not forget the eternal truths of marriage and what they mean for children and families.
An overwhelming body of evidence gathered by social scientists shows that children raised in a family with their married mothers and fathers are far more likely to enjoy good and healthy relationships with their parents and others. They will benefit from better physical and mental health and will experience less family instability. They reach a higher level of education, in particular by obtaining better marks, and are less likely to repeat a year and, ultimately, to drop out of school. These children graduate from high school at a higher rate. They will be more likely to complete university and get jobs with higher employment and income status, and will experience less unemployment and economic hardship. Boys raised in a cohesive home are generally less prone to juvenile delinquency and incarceration, while girls are less likely to experience early pregnancy. Children raised by their married parents are much less likely to live in poverty as they grow up.
No other family structure can provide couples and children with the enormous benefits of marriage between a man and a woman.
Not single parents. Not same-sex parents. Not the parents who live together.
In reality, we did not need social scientists to tell us all the benefits of marriage, not only for couples and children, but for whole societies. The benefits are obvious, observable, and felt by virtually every culture throughout history. Perhaps we might be well advised during this crisis to decide to stop treating natural marriage as a political issue and to start promoting it as an essential institution integral to human fulfillment.
of emerging ideologies. Even science is despised in order to advance the ideology of gender.
Despite constant attempts by groups, especially those on the left, to transform everything into political matters, much of life has nothing to do with politics and ideology. Take the example of marriage. The institution of marriage is not political despite the ceaseless efforts of the left to turn marriage into a political battle, as leftists have sought to redefine it in law in many countries of the world. Marriage is what it is - a universal and timeless relationship between men and women that brings together two halves of humanity to form families to care for children born
of their union. This has been its object since the dawn of time.
From time to time, global developments transcend politics and we return to the security and familiarity of eternal truths. We are in such a moment with the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis. Around the world, whether by force of government edict or by common sense, people are turning to their homes to protect themselves and their children. As people take shelter or practice the new art of "social distancing," many are rediscovering the experience of universal life that families with children built on marriage are better placed to manage the crisis.
Of course, this has some practical elements. With two parents at home, the couple can share responsibilities or take care of the details of the accommodation on site. We may be better placed to work from home; perhaps the spouse can be free to do home schooling or supervise distance education. One spouse may be more threatened by a layoff than the other. One may have better access to financial support than the other. Research shows that married couples are more economically stable and accumulate more wealth than lone parents
or those living in cohabiting relationships. This will prove very useful during this crisis.
But beyond the economy, there is family dynamics. The essence of the conjugal relationship is complementarity. Men and women are made
for each other, body and soul, equal in all respects. But equality is not about similarity. Men and women are not the same, they bring different strengths and approaches to everyday life, including child care. This will be useful and beneficial for children now, during the crisis and, later, when it goes away. A child at home with mom and dad is likely to see first-hand what research has clearly documented:
- A mother's instinct is to protect her child, while a father pushes his child to take risks.
- The two will play differently with the child, the mother preferring orderly and rules-based games, the father preferring more physical activity, roughness and spontaneous activity with fewer rules.
- Dad will joke more with the child than mom, who is more serious.
- The two will lead their child in different ways. Mom gives more chances and fewer punishments,
- Dad will praise the child when he feels the child deserves it, while Mom is likely to praise it as a way to comfort and boost self-esteem. As a result, children often work hard to get praise from their father.
I hope we will not forget the eternal truths of marriage and what they mean for children and families.
An overwhelming body of evidence gathered by social scientists shows that children raised in a family with their married mothers and fathers are far more likely to enjoy good and healthy relationships with their parents and others. They will benefit from better physical and mental health and will experience less family instability. They reach a higher level of education, in particular by obtaining better marks, and are less likely to repeat a year and, ultimately, to drop out of school. These children graduate from high school at a higher rate. They will be more likely to complete university and get jobs with higher employment and income status, and will experience less unemployment and economic hardship. Boys raised in a cohesive home are generally less prone to juvenile delinquency and incarceration, while girls are less likely to experience early pregnancy. Children raised by their married parents are much less likely to live in poverty as they grow up.
No other family structure can provide couples and children with the enormous benefits of marriage between a man and a woman.
Not single parents. Not same-sex parents. Not the parents who live together.
In reality, we did not need social scientists to tell us all the benefits of marriage, not only for couples and children, but for whole societies. The benefits are obvious, observable, and felt by virtually every culture throughout history. Perhaps we might be well advised during this crisis to decide to stop treating natural marriage as a political issue and to start promoting it as an essential institution integral to human fulfillment.