The hope and a future report 2025
the key to the
Buckeye state’s
future lies in
marriage and
strong families
Find Out Why
Ohio’s Rank in the Family Structure Index
Developed by Professor Brad Wilcox and Professor Nick Zill, the new Family Structure Index is designed to reveal the extent to which states have strong, stable, and sustainable families. Ohio is ranked below the national average at 29th.
42% of Ohio Children were Born to Unmarried Parents
Ohio has a higher share of children born out of wedlock than the national average, fueling marital instability.
50% Child Poverty Rate in Youngstown
In Youngstown, 68 percent of children are born into marriage-less households, and 50 percent of children are in poverty. Meanwhile, in New Albany, 8 percent of children are born into marriage-less households, and only 4 percent of children are in poverty. This trend tracks across Ohio: the more marriage decreases in parenthood, the more child poverty increases.
In On-Time Graduation
Comparatively high family instability across the state is undoubtedly one reason Ohio ranked 28th in on-time high school graduation. We know that states with a greater share of married parents have substantially higher graduation rates, even after controlling for states’ median income, race/ethnicity, education level, and age composition.
12X
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12x More Violence
Ohio cities with a greater percentage of children raised in married households have less violent crime. Compare Dublin, where 86 percent of children are raised by married parents, to Canton, where only 34 percent of children are raised with married parents. Canton experiences 12 times the amount of violent crime incidents compared to Dublin. While many factors contribute to violence in communities, family structure is undeniably impactful.
Falling Fertility Rate
Family formation is down in Ohio, as fertility falls in the state. The total number of births per year to Ohio residents has declined since 2005. The average number of lifetime births per Ohio woman (the Total Fertility Rate) has declined by 11 percent, from 1.9 births per woman in 2010 to 1.7 births per woman in 2022. Notably, the Total Fertility Rate is below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman.
There is no easy path out of this crisis. Our nation didn’t get to this point over night, and getting back on track will not happen quickly. However, hope is not lost. Restoring a Hope and a Future for our children is possible. It starts with a commitment to addressing the root cause driving the challenges in our communities. Changing course will require both Church and State solutions.
How We Can Restore a Hope and a Future
Marriage Holds the Key to Our Nation’s Future
State Solutions
As detailed in the Hope and a Future report, public policy plays a key role in both promoting a culture that celebrates marriage and family, and removing the barriers that are discouraging Americans from marriage.
Eliminate Marriage Penalties
The legislature should direct state government agencies to detail any marriage penalties associated with taxes and programs run by the state, and look for ways to eliminate or reduce these obstacles to marriage.
Empower Youth with the Success Sequence
Research from the Brookings Institute has proven if students graduate high school, get a job, and get married before having kids, it is nearly impossible to live in poverty. Ohio should require public schools to teach the Success Sequence as part of their curriculum.
Celebrate Marriage
Ohio should create a public education and media campaign focused on increasing the marriage rate and promoting strong and stable marriages.
Church Solutions
Expand Marriage and Family Ministry
Churches that emphasize marriage and family meet the needs of their congregants and communities. Research from Communio, a national organization committed to supporting the local church’s marriage and family ministry, shows this emphasis contributes to evangelism and church growth.
Celebrate Marriage
Churches in Ohio should also be very clear about underlining the value of a faith-based marriage and family life. Couples who attend religious services together are significantly more likely to be happily and stably married.
Preach What is True and Beautiful
Marriage is the most common pathway for the faithful to grow in holiness and happiness. Accordingly, churches must routinely proclaim an inspiring vision of marriage where the beauty, goodness, power, and difficulties of marriage and family life can be shared in age-appropriate ways to the entire congregation.
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