Related story: Thirty reasons marriage matters more than ever
Related story: Are 'family values' outdated? Traditional family becoming the exception rather than the norm
Perhaps it seems intuitive, but it requires some fairly rigorous social science to show that the actual structure of families, and not just their processes, makes a significant difference for the well-being of children.
For years, social science research on the family has attempted to prove the hypothesis that, when it comes to child well-being, it is the internal dynamics and processes of a family that matter most. The argument has been that love, not family structure, is what makes a family.
That attempt seems to have begun as a response to dramatic changes in household structure. As divorce became both more acceptable and common in our society, researchers hoped to uncover the essential characteristics of successful families that were unrelated to structure. Researchers wanted to provide sound guidance to families where, for whatever reason, the traditional structure of the intact biological family did not exist.
Because of such research, we do know that household stability, the quality of relationships within a household and the economic resources available all make a difference in the long-term physical and emotional health of children. Family members in any household benefit when love is demonstrated through good processes.
Nevertheless, the mounting evidence in the social sciences continues to teach that, as important as processes and dynamics are, family structure is still strongly correlated with the well-being and flourishing of children. And the evidence is clear that the structure setting the standard for child well-being is the intact married biological family.
As reported in today's Deseret News, the respected peer-reviewed journal Social Science Research has just published the first research to come from the New Family Structures Study (NFSS) showing how different family structures correlate with different life outcomes.
By rigorously surveying a large and nationally representative sample of adults about social behaviors, health behaviors, relationships and the structure of their family of origin, the NFSS allows researchers to analyze the relationship, if any, between different family structures and important social, behavioral and health outcomes.
Original post:
In our opinion: Editorial: Family structure counts
- Dan Ariely: It’s OK to cheat and steal (sometimes) [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2010]
- Full Sail Behavioral Science Leadership Podcast [Last Updated On: August 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 27th, 2011]
- Full Sail Behavioral Science Passion [Last Updated On: August 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 27th, 2011]
- 13H Refutes CCHR: Industry of Death (Behavioral Science) [Last Updated On: August 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 28th, 2011]
- College of Social and Behavioral Science [Last Updated On: August 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 28th, 2011]
- GB: Behavioral Science Bill For Propaganda [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2011]
- Criminal Minds - The Behavioral Science Part 2 [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2011]
- Santhula Hospital - A clinical and research center for Nuero-behavioral Science [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2011]
- Behavioral Science Self-Assesment Project [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2011]
- Behavioral Science: OPTIMAN [Last Updated On: September 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 3rd, 2011]
- Forget the Cinderella effect: stepparents are just as likely to kill their biological children as their stepchildren [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2011]
- The Behavioural Science Blog in 2010 [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2011]
- introduction to behavioral science [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2011]
- CSU's Behavioral Sciences Building [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2011]
- Criminal Minds Season 2 - Backstage - Behavioral Science Real-life Criminal Minds (1 of 2) [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- Behavioral Science: Goldielocks [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- Dean Welcome Message - CalSouthern School of Behavioral Sciences [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2011]
- Criminal Minds - The Behavioral Science Part 1 [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2011]
- TEDx Bandung-Roby Muhamad-Socio Behavioural Science [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2011]
- How Behavioral Science Applies to Marketing - Jason Anello [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2011]
- Public Health Behavioral Science [Last Updated On: September 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 15th, 2011]
- Full Sail Behavioral Science Video [Last Updated On: September 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 15th, 2011]
- Introduction to Behavioural Science [Last Updated On: September 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 15th, 2011]
- University of Arizona College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Commencement Speech [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2011]
- Introduction to Behavioral Sciences OSPE [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2011]
- Get to know NAU's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2011]
- 3 Minute Thesis 2010 runner-up - Will Harrison, Faculty of Social [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- New Behavioral Sciences Building at Colorado State University [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2011]
- Intro to Psych Statistics [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2011]
- Why Do Voles Fall in Love? [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2011]
- Behavioral Science: What problems do you have in your life? [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2011]
- Behavioral Solutions for Climate [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2011]
- College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) 2010 Senior Celebration [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Enhance Student Teaching Podcast - Full Sail University Behavioral Science Class [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Music and the Brain: Depression and Creativity Symposium [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Experiment Test [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Helen Palmer and The Enneagram [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Rapid Learning: Behavioral Science And Patient Treatment - Behavioral Physiolgy [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Meet Nicole in the Colorado State University Behavioral Sciences Building [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Life As A Full Sail Student Ep. 5 (Behavioral Science) [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Happy holidays from your friends in the College of Business and Behavioral Science [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Behavioral Science Jumping Hurdles Full Sail University [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Dr. Meera Narasimhan on Mental Illnesses - Part 1 [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Science needs you: Test your word power on iPhone / iPad with Science XL free app [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Definition of Culture [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- OSP Presentation: Bou's Clues (University of Santo Tomas, Behavioral Science) [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- Behavioral Sciences OSPE Part 7: Informational Care [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- Criminal Minds Season 2: Behavioral Science [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2011]
- Behavioral Science - York College CUNY [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2011]
- Miswakology Behavioral Sciences [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2011]
- Criminal Minds Season 2 - Backstage - Behavioral Science Real-life Criminal Minds (2 of 2) [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2011]
- Behavioral Science (A Lesson In Self Control) [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2011]
- BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE LECTURE 1 - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- TEDxGoodenoughCollege - Jan-Emmanuel De Neve - The Genetics of Happiness - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- Using Denial to Cope with Grief and Depression - Winifred Gallagher - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- How To Survive Full Sail University - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- Life Positive Expo 2008 Appreciate Inquiry with Dr. Wasundhara Joshi and R Sankarasubramanyan - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- Dr. Meera Narasimhan on Mental Illnesses - Part 3 - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- Learning and Memory - Video [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- Behavioral Science Proposal - Video [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2011]
- 13H Refutes CCHR: IOD (Chapter 7) Psychosurgery (1/2) - Video [Last Updated On: October 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 23rd, 2011]
- 13H Refutes CCHR: IOD (Chapter 8) Psychiatric Drugs (1/2) - Video [Last Updated On: October 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 23rd, 2011]
- OUTDATED : Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection - Video [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- CSUDH College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- Behavioral Science [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- Behavioral science project. ( just one part of it) - Video [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- Ramp Modeling for Dickies (UST- Behavioral Science Presentation) - Video [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- Search in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences - PSCY 2301 - Video [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- Forgiveness: Jesus vs Behavioral Science - Video [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- PsyD Graduate Discusses her Learning Experience at CalSouthern School of Behavioral Sciences - Video [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- Behavioral Science Statistics: One Sample and Dependent t-te - Video [Last Updated On: October 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2011]
- Full Sail University Behavioral Science Self-Awareness Exercise - Video [Last Updated On: October 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2011]
- FBI Behavioral Science Unit Interview - Part 2 - Video [Last Updated On: October 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2011]
- Full Sail BS Lab 2 Proposal - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Full Sail University-Behavioral Science- Jumping Hurdles Project - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Being Human - Behavioral Science Project - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Behavioral Sciences OSPE Part 3: Compliance - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Behavioral Science Film Fest feat. BSA1D '09 - Video [Last Updated On: October 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 28th, 2011]
- Dan Pink Plenary Speaker Landsdowne Residency, March 2010 - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2011]
- Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection - Video [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2011]