Rebuilding Family Foundations for a Smaller Government: The Role of DOGE in Revitalizing America

Rebuilding Family Foundations for a Smaller Government

A smaller government requires stronger families. President Donald Trump’s initiative to streamline the government through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) offers a significant opportunity to transform the nation’s fiscal landscape. However, this ambitious promise cannot rely solely on cutting wasteful spending. American taxpayers have financed various programs abroad, including diversity initiatives in Europe, drag shows in Ecuador, and electric vehicle trials in Asia. Eliminating these expenditures may help, but it will not suffice on its own.

The forthcoming pursuit of restoring fiscal health in America could lead the administration into more politically delicate areas, including possible reductions to government programs that many Americans depend on for their daily needs.

Understanding the Reliance on Government Assistance

This reality prompts a critical question: why are millions of Americans so dependent on government support such as housing assistance, food stamps, and public healthcare? A crucial part of the answer lies in the decline of marriage and the disintegration of families, which has increased reliance on government for essential needs.

To effectively navigate these complex waters and realize its ambitious goals, DOGE must adopt a broader view than merely reducing personnel and eliminating extravagances from the federal budget. The initiative will need to shift power back to smaller societal units: families, communities, and individual states.

The Hope and a Future Report

The Center for Christian Virtue, in partnership with the Institute for Family Studies, has produced a new report titled “The Hope and a Future Report.” This comprehensive study delves into how decreasing marriage rates, particularly among low-income families in Ohio, are contributing to poverty, educational failure, and community violence—all factors that exacerbate the growth of government intervention.

Child Poverty and Family Structures in Ohio

Consider the alarming child poverty rates: in Youngstown, Ohio, 68% of children grow up in homes without a married father, while about 50% of these children live in poverty.

Similarly, in Middletown, the hometown of Vice President JD Vance, 51% of children reside in unmarried households, leading to a 26% poverty rate among the youth. On a more positive note, New Albany, Ohio, boasts 91% of children being raised in married families, resulting in a mere 4% child poverty rate. Across Ohio, children from single-mother households are four times more likely to experience poverty compared to those from married families.

Addressing Child Poverty through Family Stability

For DOGE and any leader aiming to downsize the government at both federal and state levels, child poverty presents a formidable obstacle. When children experience poverty, they are more likely to rely on government services for extended periods.

Looking to Ohio as a case study, Republican Governor Mike DeWine’s projected budget for 2025 anticipates $25.5 billion in federal funding, mainly allocated to Medicaid, a program tailored for low-income children, families, and adults.

Moreover, the breakdown of family structures ties closely to the three largest categories of state spending: education, health and human services, and public safety. These facets can be summarized as educating, medicating, and incarcerating the populace.

A staggering 88.4% of Ohio’s budget addresses these areas, and when children do not grow up in stable and nurturing environments, it results in higher costs for taxpayers. School failure, child poverty, and antisocial behavior are markedly more prevalent in families that lack stability.

Impact of Family Stability on Education and Behavior

Data reveals that children from non-intact families in Ohio face a 72% higher likelihood of experiencing behavioral or learning problems, as reported by teachers or principals, compared to their peers from intact, married families, according to an analysis by the Institute for Family Studies and the Center for Christian Virtue based on the National Survey of Children’s Health.

Family Structure Index and Economic Well-Being

The Hope and a Future Report introduces a unique Family Structure Index that evaluates family health across all 50 states. By examining fertility and demographic data, the report identifies states with the most robust and stable family dynamics.

As expected, a clear correlation exists between strong family structures and economic prosperity. Seven out of the top ten states in the Family Structure Index also rank among the top ten in the American Legislative Exchange Commission’s 2024 Laffer State Economic Outlook Rankings. This analysis highlights the states with the most favorable tax and regulatory climates. States like Utah, Idaho, and South Dakota, characterized by some of the strongest family units in the nation, thrive economically and fiscally.

The Path Forward: Celebrating Families and Encouraging Marriage

Under Elon Musk’s oversight of DOGE, a strong advocacy exists for celebrating children. Yet, there seems to be a lack of appreciation for the significance of marriage in fostering a supportive environment for children and the nation as a whole.

To protect these vulnerable children and help them avoid a future of government dependence, a renewed emphasis on promoting marriage becomes imperative. This strategy not only benefits children but also enhances the efficiency of federal and state governments far beyond what even Musk might envision.

Brad Wilcox, a Distinguished University Professor at the University of Virginia and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, highlights these essential perspectives in his work, advocating for stronger families as a foundation for societal betterment.

Aaron Baer presides over the Center for Christian Virtue.