Arnold Jago from Nichols Point writes that there is evidence the realities of family issues are being avoided.
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The NFL plans a campaign of players visiting schools with an anti-domestic violence message.
OK, but what exactly will the message be?
Will it focus on the realities? Or more on the celebrity-visitors?
That question isn’t merely cynical. It’s important.
Avoidance of reality about family issues is everywhere.
Widespread myths need exposing and discrediting — like the myth that marriage is irrelevant to good parenting.
There’s plentiful evidence that living with one’s parents, who are married and live together, is the optimal setting for raising children.
The Western Australian Child Health Survey (2012), which followed 2790 children from ages four to 16, concluded that “marriage benefits the health and well-being of individuals, and, conversely, separation and divorce bring with them elevated risks for both former husbands and wives and their children”.
Marriage and family breakdown costs the Australian nation at least $3 billion each year.
In comparison, the Commonwealth government spends just $3.5 million on preventive marriage and relationship education programs.
The imbalance is manifest.
It requires correction.