In this episode of Notre Dame Stories, Melissa Kearney, economist and director of the Strengthening Families Research Initiative, explores the decline in marriage, the rise of single-parent households, and falling fertility rates in the United States. Drawing on decades of research, she connects these trends to economic inequality, child well-being, and public policy—making the case that strengthening families is essential to improving outcomes across society.
 
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 <li><a href="https://youtu.be/l8l6ziFRviw">Watch on YouTube</a></li>
 <li><a href="https://stories.nd.edu/podcast/what-happened-to-the-traditional-american-family/">Episode page</a></li>
 <li><a href="https://link.chtbl.com/notre-dame-stories?sid=megaphone">Listen and subscribe</a></li>
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In this episode of Notre Dame Stories, Melissa Kearney, economist and director of the Strengthening Families Research Initiative, explores the decline in marriage, the rise of single-parent households, and falling fertility rates in the United States. Drawing on decades of research, she connects these trends to economic inequality, child well-being, and public policy—making the case that strengthening families is essential to improving outcomes across society.




  Watch on YouTube

  Episode page

  Listen and subscribe

The American family has changed dramatically over the past four decades, raising urgent questions about marriage, economic stability, and child well-being.

What happened to the American family?

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