“The foundations of national morality must be laid in private families.” – John Adams
South Dakota has long been recognized as one of the best places to raise a family. A recent report from our allies in Ohio at the Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) confirms that viewpoint while revealing key areas for improvement. The Family Structure Index, released in CCV’s Hope and a Future report, analyzes demographic and fertility data to determine which states have the “strongest, most stable, and most sustainable families–thereby increasing the prospects for happy and healthy children.” South Dakota ranked above the national average at 4th place.
The index was calculated for each state by the percentage of married “prime age” adults (25-54 years old), the average number of lifetime births per woman, and the percentage of children aged 15 to 17 who are living with their married parents. Index scores higher than 60 indicate that the state is above the national average in at least one of the components. South Dakota’s index score of 80.5 is based on the following results:
- 59% of South Dakota Children are Born & Raised with Married Parents
South Dakota soared past the national average with approximately 59% of children currently being raised by their married mother and father. While this ranking is good, we know South Dakota can do better.
“The truth is, no other institution protects children the way marriage does. If states want to address poverty, improve outcomes for children, and do more than simply react to higher rates of criminal behavior in communities with broken homes, they need to encourage raising children within marriage to the child’s other parent,” Patience Sunne, the engagement director at Them Before Us, a nonprofit dedicated to defending children’s rights, wrote.
- 60.2% of “Prime Age” Adults are Married
Marriage is a common good – for individuals, society, and children. Our state should continue promoting the benefits of traditional marriage to strengthen South Dakota families. Children raised by unmarried parents do not receive the same stability or benefits as those raised by their married parents. Not only that, marriage provides numerous benefits to the husband and wife:
“More than 50 years of social science and medical research generally demonstrate that married men and women live longer, have healthier lives, earn and save more money, recover more quickly and successfully from illness, steer clear of trouble with the law, are less likely to attempt and commit suicide, and are more likely to be happy. Indeed, on most measures of financial, physical, social, and emotional well-being, men, women, and children in stable married homes do better,” Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute Brad Wilcox wrote.
- South Dakota Scores Highest Fertility Rate
Not a single state has a birthrate that meets the requisite level of 2.1 required to maintain a steady population. This extremely concerning pattern has experts worried and searching for solutions. However, South Dakota is the closest state to reaching the desired level of 2.1, with a fertility rate of 2.01. Every other state falls below 2.0.
The Family Structure Index reveals room for growth in every state and shines a light on the fact that some states have immense work to do in creating a pro-family culture. South Dakota is ahead of the game, and we hope to continue promoting policies that welcome families to our state and create an environment where they can thrive.
