Why Marriage Education Matters for Child Well-Being

By Theresa Mabry
Encompass Director of Operations

As a marriage coach, I’ve seen firsthand how a healthy marriage can transform an entire family. When couples learn to communicate with empathy, manage stress as a team, and rebuild trust, their children notice—and they flourish. A secure marriage doesn’t just make life better for two people; it creates stability, confidence, and hope for the next generation. ​

​The Power of Stability

Marriage provides a foundation of security and consistency that deeply impacts a child’s development. Studies show that marriage decreases the probability of child poverty by an astonishing 82%. Nearly 37% of single mothers with children live in poverty, compared to only 6.4% of married couples. Children in single-parent households are nearly six times more likely to be poor than those raised by married parents. ¹

This isn’t just about finances—it’s about emotional stability, access to healthcare, and opportunity. Marriage acts as a stabilizing force that allows families to weather challenges together rather than apart.

The Cost of Family Fragmentation

Over the past five decades, the percentage of children growing up apart from their biological fathers has doubled, rising from 17% in 1960 to 34% today. This increase is largely due to divorce, out-of-wedlock births, and cohabitation. As a result, many children are growing up without consistent parental presence and support—factors strongly linked to emotional distress, behavioral issues, and academic challenges.²

Children in nuclear families—homes where two married parents are raising their biological or adopted children—tend to be healthier and more resilient. They are less likely to experience emotional or behavioral difficulties, less likely to have learning disabilities or ADHD, and more likely to be in good, fair, or excellent health.

Children who grow up with cohabiting couples tend to have worse life outcomes than those who grow up with married couples.³

Beyond the Numbers: The Human Side

While data highlights the disparities, behind every statistic is a story. Children in stable, loving marriages experience day-to-day benefits that go beyond economics: consistent routines, emotional safety, and clear parental roles. These benefits nurture confidence and character, helping children grow into secure, responsible adults.

By contrast, children raised in unstable or cohabiting households tend to face greater struggles. Research from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health found that boys with divorced parents were 50% more likely to be obese, and nearly 90% more likely to be abdominally obese than boys whose parents were married. Girls and boys alike from these families experience higher rates of health and behavioral challenges.⁴

Strengthening Marriages, Strengthening Children

At Encompass Connection Center, we believe that strong marriages build strong families—and strong families build strong communities. Marriage education equips couples with the communication, conflict-resolution, and stress-management skills they need to stay connected and thrive together.

By helping couples grow in their relationships, we’re also helping their children flourish—emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

The evidence is clear: when marriages are healthy, children are healthier. When parents communicate and support one another, children feel safe. And when families thrive, communities are transformed.

That’s why marriage education matters—not just for couples, but for the next generation.

Take the Next Step

If you and your spouse are ready to invest in a stronger marriage—for your sake and your children’s--we’d love to walk with you. Encompass offers marriage coaching through our RINGS Experience designed to help couples grow closer, reduce stress, and communicate more effectively.

Visit www.encompasscc.org to learn more or reach out to schedule your first coaching session. A thriving marriage doesn’t just happen—it’s built; one skill and one moment of connection at a time.

¹​ Jason Fields,”Living Arrangements of Children”, Current Population Reports, 2001
² National Health Interview Survey 2001 – 2007, Vital Health Stat 10(246) 2010
³ Wilcox, et al “Why Marriage Matters”; Robin Wilson, “Evaluating Marriage: Does Marriage matter to the Nurturing of Children?” (2005)
⁴ Biehl, Hovengen, Groholt, et al; a nationally representative cross-sectional study, June 2014