Heritage Foundation Leadership for America

The Relationship Between Family Structure and Adolescent Sexual Activity

Families remain one of the most powerful socializing influences on the sexual attitudes and behaviors of adolescents. Adolescents from intact family structures are less likely than their peers from non-intact family backgrounds to engage in sexual activity. Moreover, when adolescents from intact families do become sexually active, they tend to do so at an older age than their counterparts from non-intact families.

Executive Summary: Same?Sex Marriage and the Threat to Religious Liberty

Judicial decisions redefining marriage to include same-sex unions state that limiting marriage to men and women is a form of unacceptable dis­crimination against homosexuals. Individuals and institutions that believe mar­riage is a relationship between a man and a woman could lose access to government ben­efits and become subject to costly lawsuits under nondiscrimination laws that protect sexual orientation, gender, and marital status.

Same–Sex Marriage and the Threat to Religious Liberty

Judicial decisions redefining marriage to include same-sex unions state that limiting marriage to men and women is a form of unacceptable dis­crimination against homosexuals. Individuals and institutions that believe mar­riage is a relationship between a man and a woman could lose access to government ben­efits and become subject to costly lawsuits under nondiscrimination laws that protect sexual orientation, gender, and marital status.

Teen Sex: The Parent Factor

The statistics on teen sexuality in the United States are troubling. Two-thirds of 12th graders have engaged in sexual activity and one in five will become teen mothers. Social science research suggests that parents can influence their adolescents’ sexual behavior. Policies and programs focused on reducing teen sexual activity and related negative outcomes should strengthen parental involvement.

Reforming Health Care to Protect Parents' Rights

Medicaid, SCHIP, Title X, and other government health care programs deny parents the right to know which medical services their children receive, even when the services include birth control, psychiatric counseling, or substance-abuse therapy. Reform based on personal choice and competition allows parents to ensure that the medical decisions that affect their families are compatible with their moral judgments.

Preparing the Way: Evangelicals and the election

Are evangelicals swerving to the left in American politics? Throughout the primary season, the mainstream media loudly trumpeted the idea that younger evangelicals’ attention to the environment and “social justice” issues signals a departure from traditional concerns such as abortion and marriage.

Ladies, Please

A user's guide to growing up female in America.

The High Cost of Broken Families

Between 1970 and 2005, the number of children living in two-parent homes has dropped from 85 percent to 68 percent. Essentially, one third of all U.S. children are now born outside of wedlock. Of significance, 46 percent of all babies born out of wedlock are Hispanic. Why should our community care? Or even yet, why should our government care?

Evangelicals...and Justice From All

When it comes to faith and politics, young evangelicals are getting a lot of attention these days. Several recent polls and a slew of new books suggest social-justice concerns are prompting evangelicals under the age of 30 to move left politically. As part of the largest religious group in the United States, their political allegiances are under particular scrutiny, especially during a cliffhanger election year.

The Moral Costs of Socialized Medicine

There are moral costs in socialized medicine. Anyone who considers Canada's health system a role model for the U.S. should consider the case of Samuel Golubchuk. His case shows the inevitable collision course between government-controlled health care and the rights of private conscience.

Politics, God and Blue Devils

As one national search heats up, another has just concluded. With the first primaries taking place in January, Republicans and Democrats are trying to choose a nominee for president. With the college football recruiting deadline also in January, Duke University has just hired a new head football coach.. Surprisingly, the focus of the presidential campaign has been dominated lately by religion. Less surprisingly, the focus among Duke sports fans has been basketball. The spotlight on presidential candidates’ faith seems to have hit a constitutional nerve among some commentators. Article VI of the Constitution prohibits a religious test for office, they note, implying that it’s unconstitutional for citizens to vote for a candidate on this basis.