Once the root causes of family decline are investigated, more effective remedies can be put in place. Certainly what has been done to date has not worked, if statistics like those of Vitz are to be believed.
Furthermore, I do not believe that we are facing a national crisis with regard to the family. Greater equality for women, more tolerance towards divorcees, and more opportunities in terms of work and childcare have opened doors for women that were not available in history. Abused women for example now have the means to escape the situation, be believed by the court, and raise their children with love and respect. Certainly this cannot be seen as a family in decline. Emotional issues and underlying reasons, rather than simple, surface statistics should form part of family studies for a more accurate view.
Sources
Bradly, Robert H. & Crews, Donald A. (2001). "The Crisis of Family Decline in Massachusetts." Annual Report. URL:
http://www.mafamily.org/MFI%20Annual%20Report%202001.pdf
http://www.pobronson.com/factbook/pages/231.html
Carlson, Allan. (2006). "The Family Factors." Touchstone Archives. URL:
http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=19-01-023-f
Frey, William H. (2003, March 1). "Married with Children - decline in traditional-family households." American Demographics. Online database: findarticles.com. URL:
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4021/is_2_25/ai_97818968
Rougeau, Vincent D. (2003). "A crisis of caring: A Catholic critique of American Welfare Reform." URL:
http://law.nd.edu/faculty/facultypages/rougeau_Symposium_article_RFA_finaledit_1.pdf.
Vitz, Paul C. (1999) "Family Decline: The Findings of Social Science." Part I in Defending the Family: A Sourcebook, 1-23. Steubenville, OH: The Catholic Social Science Press. URL: http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/marriage/mf0002.html.
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