A new analysis from the Institute for Family Studies suggests that the kind of parenting that feels hardest in the moment—setting clear rules, enforcing boundaries, and maintaining structure—may actually lead to stronger relationships with children over time. Survey data from thousands of parents found that teens in homes with consistent expectations, such as curfews or screen limits, often report closer relationships with their parents.
For families, this insight points to an important truth: love expressed through guidance, accountability, and stability helps children grow in trust and resilience. Strong parenting, rooted in committed families and supported by healthy marriages, lays the groundwork not only for thriving children but also for vibrant churches and communities.
Dating Apps Are Literally Training People to Reject. Here’s What the Research Shows — and What the Church Can Do About It.
A peer-reviewed study in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that dating apps produce a “rejection mind-set” — cutting acceptance rates by 27%. Here’s what it means for your church’s young adult ministry.
Young Men Are Earning More Than Ever. So Why Are Fewer of Them Getting Married?
A new Heritage Foundation paper covered by IFS finds that men’s earnings in 2025 are at a 50-year high — yet marriage rates kept declining. The marriage problem isn’t economic. Here’s what it actually is.
The Marriage Benefit No One Talks About — and Why It Leads Straight to the Church
A growing body of research says marriage’s most overlooked benefit isn’t financial—it’s security. Discover what this means for your church’s ministry.