The Most Cost-Effective Way to Strenghten Civil Society = Bolster Marriage and the Family

Yesterday's NYT article entitled "Study Finds More Woes Following Foster Care" paints a bleak picture of the children that fall through the cracks because they lacked the support system that the family was designed to be. With all the government intervention programs out there, one would think that the government would pay more attention to supporting marriages and families. The family (founded on a robust marriage relationship) is the building block of society. Healthy families produce healthy kids which produce a healthy society. The corollary, unfortunately, is all too true.

Kudos to all those parents who have been able to take these children (that otherwise would fall through the cracks) into their homes. I have much respect and admiration for my sister Miriam. She and her husband have had ~5 foster kids (two of whom are currently still with them) in their home over the past couple years. They have also adopted two children--my niece Zelie and nephew/godson Eli. Happily, I know others in our families are also pursuing to foster/adopt. This is a unique vocation, something that Mary and I are definitely open to, should God call our family to embark on this road in the near or distant future.

Unfortunately, adults' mistakes (divorce, infidelity, failed relationships) wreak the greatest havoc on those who are most innocent and vulnerable: children.