Putting Evidence into Policy
Why Policy Matters
If family stability influences children’s life chances, shouldn’t it be considered when shaping public policy?
Strong families are built by individuals, not governments. But governments shape the environment in which families form, grow and face challenges. Public policy can remove barriers to stability, encourage long-term thinking, and avoid creating unintended disincentives to lasting commitment.
For many years, family policy has been influenced by research suggesting that marriage itself adds little to relationship stability once factors such as education, income and age are taken into account. Analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has been particularly influential in shaping this thinking and informing public policy.
New research by Dr Harry Benson, Research Director at Marriage Foundation, provides a fresh perspective.
By analysing previously excluded data from the Millennium Cohort Study, Dr Benson’s PhD demonstrates that marriage itself is associated with a substantially lower risk of family breakdown, even after accounting for socio-economic background. Most strikingly, his research shows that the poorest parents who marry are more likely to stay together than the richest parents who do not. These findings suggest that marriage is not simply a reflection of social or economic advantage—it is itself an important contributor to family stability.
This research has important implications for public policy. Family stability is closely linked to children’s wellbeing, educational outcomes, mental health, poverty and social mobility. Policies that recognise the importance of stable commitment have the potential to strengthen families, improve children’s life chances and reduce the wider social and economic costs associated with family breakdown.
Family stability is not a left-wing issue or a right-wing issue. Every government seeks to improve children’s life chances, reduce disadvantage, strengthen communities and make wise use of public resources. Whatever our political differences, stable family relationships contribute to these shared ambitions.
Our aim is not to promote a particular political agenda, but to encourage policymakers from across the political spectrum to consider the latest evidence on what helps families remain stable and children flourish.
Our Policy Priorities
Drawing on our research, we believe the following priorities deserve consideration by policymakers of every political persuasion.
Introduce Family Stability Impact Assessments
Governments routinely assess the impact of major policies on areas such as equality, public finances and the environment. We believe they should also consider the likely impact on family stability. Understanding whether policies strengthen or weaken the conditions that help committed relationships endure would lead to better-informed decision-making and better outcomes for children.
Remove barriers to marriage and civil partnership
Review aspects of the welfare system, including Universal Credit, to ensure they do not unintentionally create financial barriers to marriage, civil partnership or stable family life for low-income parents. Public policy should not penalise the very relationships associated with greater long-term stability.
Recognise marriage and civil partnership as evidence-based policy issues
Dr Harry Benson’s research demonstrates that marriage plays a more significant role in family stability than previously understood. Policies designed to improve children’s outcomes should reflect the latest evidence on the contribution that marriage and civil partnership make to lasting family stability.
Support families during the earliest years of parenthood
The first three years after a child’s birth are often when relationships are under greatest pressure and when decisions about marriage or civil partnership are most likely to be made. Providing meaningful support during this period offers an opportunity to strengthen long-term family stability.
Make family stability part of child poverty strategy
Tackling child poverty is about more than increasing household income. Stable family relationships play an important role in children’s long-term outcomes and should form part of any comprehensive strategy to reduce disadvantage.
Strengthen existing family support
Build on services such as Family Hubs by ensuring families can access evidence-based relationship support before problems reach crisis point. Supporting relationships early has the potential to improve outcomes for both parents and children.
Improve how family stability is measured
Alongside economic and social indicators, government should routinely monitor family stability and relationship transitions so that future policy is informed by robust evidence.
Work across party lines
Family stability benefits children, families and society as a whole. We welcome engagement with policymakers, researchers and organisations from across the political spectrum who share a commitment to ensuring that public policy is informed by robust evidence and focused on improving outcomes for children.
Continuing the Conversation
At Marriage Foundation, influencing public policy is one important part of our wider mission to reinforce confidence in marriage and civil partnership as the most stable foundations for family life. Alongside our research, media engagement and public education, we work to ensure that the best available evidence contributes to informed debate about family stability and the role that public policy can play in supporting it.
We recognise that no single policy will transform family life. Strong relationships are built by individuals, families and communities. But when policy reflects robust evidence, it can help create the conditions in which more couples are able to build stable, lasting relationships and more children can experience the security and opportunities that family stability provides.
We welcome engagement with policymakers, researchers, charities and anyone who shares our commitment to improving outcomes for children through thoughtful, evidence-informed discussion.
Further Reading
Explore the research that underpins our policy priorities:
- Dr Harry Benson’s PhD Thesis (University of Bristol)
- PhD Summary Report – a concise overview of the key findings and their implications for family stability.
- Centre for Social Justice Report – How Government Can Better Support Family Stability, by Dr Harry Benson.