America's leading research institution on marriage and family formation. Empirically rigorous. Morally serious. Cited across the aisle.
The concept of "success" is probably permanently embedded in the American psyche, maybe so deeply. embedded that we do not even realize it is there.
"Thanks for all that you’re doing to bring reason and evidence to these questions"
— Jonathan Haidt
"Your work is excellent. Thanks for doing it!"
— Arthur Brooks
"Your research is terrific and much needed."
— Las Vegas Review-Journal
"IFS is a counter to the prevailing narrative — and it is very, very necessary."
— Mrs. G, United Kingdom
"We use IFS information and presenters to fill out our understanding of family shortcomings and solutions."
— Human services secretary in the United States
"There is not a week that goes by where I don't share IFS research and articles with folks in the relationship and education field."
— Richard, Florida
"I speak and teach from the place of a practitioner. IFS research has shown me that many of the principles I teach are backed up by science."
— Alicia, Ohio
"IFS gives language and reasoning behind observations and thoughts I have as I work in politics."
— Anja, Mississippi
"IFS gives us an unbiased view of the current realities of marriage and family — not slanted by the media or political agendas."
— John, Florida
"A trustworthy, accurate source to fight for these important causes. There's very little out there doing what IFS does."
— Dana, Illinois
"IFS provides statistical confirmation and clearly reasoned articles for policy developers."
— Bob, Vermont
"IFS supports the Success Sequence we teach to high school students."
— Diana, Missouri
"IFS affirms important truths by comparing them with trends in the wider community."
— Paul, New South Wales, Australia
"IFS is a credible source for the secular community."
— Jodie, Virginia
"IFS scholars bring rigor to family arguments, grounding them in facts and principles. They are winsome, witty, and engaged with real America. Their work transforms culture wars into necessary debates."
— Ross Douthat, New York Times Columnist
In this report, we present fresh estimates of fertility for every state with available vital statistics back to 1917, and we also use results from a new survey of over 4,700 Americans to explore how American cultural norms around friendship and celebrity families may shape fertility.
Read The ReportUsing data from the Global Flourishing Study, we find that childhood family conditions—particularly the relationship between father and son—provide a key explanation for why so many young, working-class men are struggling.
Read The Report
America is in the midst of a “happiness crash.” Reports of unhappiness have more than doubled since 2000, according to the General Social Survey. Young adults—ages 18 to 35—have been hit hardest. In the early 2000s, 11% of young adults reported being “not too happy,” compared with 26% today. This crash follows the Digital Revolution, which has eroded opportunities to socialize, date, and marry. Economist Sam Peltzman finds that one of the biggest drivers of declining happiness is the recent retreat from marriage. As virtual life rises and real relationships fall, “the pursuit of happiness” is growing more unattainable for a large minority of Americans—especially the young.
View InsightInterested in learning more about the work of the Institute for Family Studies? Please feel free to contact us by using your preferred method detailed below.
P.O. Box 1502
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 260-1048
For media inquiries, contact Chris Bullivant ([email protected]).
We encourage members of the media interested in learning more about the people and projects behind the work of the Institute for Family Studies to get started by perusing our "Media Kit" materials.
Commentary
View AllFor More Births, We Need Better Birth Experiences
by Amber AdrianBeyond Red vs. Blue: America's Real Family Crisis
by Benjamin L. MabryWhat a Best-Selling Divorce Memoir Does Not Say About Marriage
by Liana GrahamThe Best Thing for Your Brain Is Other People—Even Annoying Ones
by James A. Coan