It is hard to argue that the bedrock of society is the nuclear family.

It is in the home that values are first learned,

that work ethic is shaped, and that loyalty to a community is born.

At the centre of that home lies the relationship between the married or partnered couple — the rock on which everything else rests.

But in the past century, especially in the West, this foundation has been steadily eroded.

In the 1960s, divorce rates in Australia and the United States hovered around 10%.

Today, nearly half of marriages end in divorce.

That’s not just a statistic — it’s a human reality.

Behind every number are children learning to navigate life without stability, partners struggling with loneliness, and communities dealing with the ripple effects.

The research is sobering.

Studies from the American Journal of Sociology show that children from intact families are far less likely to experience poverty, substance abuse, and incarceration.

A report from the Australian Institute of Family Studies found that children of divorce are twice as likely to develop mental health struggles.

And economists have calculated that family breakdown costs Australia billions each year in lost productivity, health care, and social services.

But beyond numbers, think of the emotional toll.

A child lying awake at night, listening to arguments through the wall.

A mother or father quietly grieving the loss of trust and companionship.

Generations carrying forward wounds they never asked for.

When the couple’s relationship falters, it doesn’t just break two hearts — it shakes the foundation of a whole family, and through it, society itself.

And yet, there is hope.

Research from relationship pioneers like John Gottman shows that with the right tools, commitment, and guidance, couples can rebuild trust, deepen intimacy, and pass on resilience to their children. Strong couples make strong families. Strong families make strong communities. And strong communities make strong nations.

So today, let’s talk about what it takes to restore that foundation — not just for ourselves, but for generations to come.

Our guest today is someone who is focused on helping in this quest

Dr. Stefan Neszpor, FRCPC, CC, CGP is a consultant psychiatrist and psychotherapist specialising in couples therapy. With training in psychiatry, play therapy, family systems, NLP, and psychobiological approaches, he blends neurobiology, attachment science, and experiential methods to help people heal, strengthen relationships, and build resilience in life and love.