Sunday, January 11, 2026- The conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation has released a new policy report urging the U.S. government to make marriage and family formation a central priority of national policy amid concerns about declining marriage rates and shifting social trends.
The report argues that current federal policies do not sufficiently support traditional family structures and that stronger emphasis on marriage could help address broader societal challenges. It proposes that government actions be evaluated for their effects on family formation, and that policies should encourage and protect family formation rather than simply increasing birth rates.
Key recommendations include creating programs such as a “marriage bootcamp” to prepare couples for long-term relationships, establishing a “universal day of rest” to reinforce family time, and discouraging online dating based on research suggesting couples who meet online are less likely to marry.
The report also suggests reviewing tax and education policy to ensure they do not disincentivize marriage and recommending executive orders requiring all federal actions to explicitly consider their impact on marriage and family life.
The Heritage Foundation’s direction reflects its expanded role in shaping conservative domestic policy under the current U.S. administration, with its ideas influencing initiatives from Project 2025.
While the report’s emphasis on traditional two-parent families has drawn mixed reactions from policymakers and advocacy groups, it signals a broader debate over how federal policy should respond to cultural and demographic changes in America.
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