Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, in a piece for Fox News, echoes the concerns of Dr. Ben Carson, former U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary, about the state of American families. Both believe the family unit is the foundation of a strong nation, and they warn of a growing crisis. Gingrich, in his commentary, points to a rise in divorce rates, the erosion of traditional marriage, the influence of radical ideologies, and government interference as factors contributing to the breakdown of family structures.
Dr. Carson, in his new book, “The Perilous Fight”, offers a solution. He argues for a return to the biblical and familial values that, he says, are the bedrock of America. He believes that these values are essential for fostering strong communities and a thriving nation. He emphasizes the importance of education, marriage, and hard work, values that, he says, are often passed down through strong family units.
The article highlights a study by the Brookings Institution that found a correlation between poverty and family dynamics. The study found that individuals who finish high school, obtain full-time employment, and delay parenthood until marriage have a drastically reduced chance of living in poverty. This statistic, according to the authors, underscores the importance of these values in creating a stable and prosperous society.
Gingrich and Carson also express concern about the impact of a breakdown of family structures on children. They cite statistics highlighting the higher likelihood of homelessness, criminal activity, educational underachievement, and substance abuse among children from broken homes. The article argues that the lack of stable, two-parent households has significant consequences for children, often leading to a cycle of poverty and societal problems.
The piece goes on to suggest that the erosion of traditional family values is a deliberate strategy by those seeking to fundamentally change America. The authors point to historical examples of communist efforts to gain control of schools and institutions to promote radical ideologies and undermine traditional societal norms.
The authors believe that these efforts have been successful in some areas, leading to a decline in morality and a weakening of national identity. They cite a recent poll by America’s New Majority Project that found a strong majority of Americans believe parents have the right to know what’s happening in classrooms. However, they also highlight the resistance from teachers’ unions, who actively oppose parental oversight and spend significant resources to limit it.
The article points to the rise of homeschooling and the popularity of private and religious schools as evidence of parental dissatisfaction with the current educational system. Parents, increasingly concerned about indoctrination and the decline in traditional values, are seeking alternatives to public schools.
The authors conclude that a return to core biblical and familial values is crucial to prevent the collapse of the nation. They call for a renewed emphasis on family stability, parental involvement in education, and a rejection of radical ideologies. They argue that the future of America hinges on the health of its families and communities.