Most policy debates about upward mobility cover things like education, workforce programs, or tax policy. Too often, they ignore what's actually the most important variable that impacts outcomes for the next generation: family. 

On this episode, Nic Dunn sits down with Melissa Kearney to discuss her new book The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind. In the discussion she profiles the evidence showing that children who grow up in married two-parent households have better outcomes. She also talks about how marriage rates have dropped significantly and unequally across different groups of Americans in recent years. 

Kearney is a professor of economics at the University of Maryland and a nonresident Senior Fellow at Brookings. 

Show notes:

• Amazon.com: The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind - Kearney, Melissa
• Kearney, Melissa | ECON l Department of Economics l University of Maryland (umd.edu)
• Policy | Family - Sutherland Institute

Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.