A new policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has some parents and physicians concerned—and rightly so. The statement recommends that pediatricians counsel adolescent patients on some of the most commonly used forms of “emergency contraception” in the U.S., specifically recommending that all teenagers receive counseling and advance …
This week, nearly 100 policymakers, practitioners, and administrators met in Washington, D.C., to discuss new solutions for the complex issue of poverty. Among the topics discussed was the nation’s foster care and adoption system. Roughly 400,000 children languish in today’s system, in which they will likely experience multiple, periodic placements …
Hurricane Sandy dealt widespread destruction to multiple cities across the East Coast this week. The storm—cited as the largest in generations—took numerous lives and left in its wake heart-rending scenes of demolished homes and flooded city streets. In the aftermath of the devastation, many faith-based and community organizations have wasted …
A new study published in the journal Pediatrics adds to a body of research showing the importance of fathers in protecting children against negative outcomes, from lower academic achievement to poverty. The study found that teens who have close emotional relationships with their fathers are more likely to put off …
A recent Gallup poll found that, for the first time, a majority of Americans think that the government should not promote traditional values. This opinion regarding the government’s role reflects a general rise in relativism and a social environment in which upholding clear standards is characterized as being judgmental and …
A new report by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life shows an increase in religiously unaffiliated Americans. The survey shows that almost 20 percent of respondents claim they are “religiously unaffiliated”—a four-percentage-point increase from five years ago. This category of “nones” has been steadily increasing over the past four …
New research shows that marriage is the nation’s best antidote to child poverty. This holds true in every state across the country. On Wednesday, The Heritage Foundation introduced a new web page illustrating how marriage protects against child poverty. The new web page features 14 charts, a new Special Report …
New research continues to show that marriage is connected to longer life. A new study from researchers at Michigan State University and the University of Cincinnati compares mortality rates between married and cohabiting individuals. Researchers found that among some groups, married individuals have lower mortality rates compared to individuals who …
It’s back-to-school time, and parents are scurrying to equip their children for success. But children’s school preparation should begin much earlier than August. As numerous studies show, it should start during a child’s toddler years. Parents’ involvement with their children (both academically and otherwise) from their earliest years in life …
