Overview
Policymakers are concerned by the high rates of divorce and out-of-wedlock births and the implications that these have for the health and well-being of children.

Children raised by married parents tend to do better emotionally, academically, and economically than children raised in single-parent families. Yet most children in this country will spend at least part of their life with a single parent.

To address these concerns, states have implemented a range of strategies to promote healthy marriage and strengthen families. State activity has gained momentum over the past decade, in large part due to welfare reform, which created the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF).

Related Links:

• CLASP Couples and Marriage Policy
• HHS Health Marriage Initiative
• Mathematica Policy Research Building Strong Families
• National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
• The Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study