SPOTLIGHT: Sociology Professor On Importance of Marriage for Healthy, Happy Children

Written by Jenna Smith

In this episode of the Spotlight podcast, we’re highlighting remarks from Dr. Brad Wilcox during the Illinois Family Institute’s 2025 Marriage & Family worldview conference, hosted by Belmont Bible Church in Downer’s Grove.

Dr. Wilcox serves as director of the National Marriage Project & professor of sociology at the University of Virginia. He’s the author of several books including “Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Form Strong Families, & Save Civilization.”

In Part One of this Two Part series, Dr. Wilcox discusses the closing of the American heart. He makes the point that the state of our unions is impacting the pursuit of happiness:

I would say the most tragic thing we’re seeing is this growing numbers of men and women across this country are anxious, they’re lonely, and they’re unmoored; living lives devoid of meaning and purpose. This explains why we’re seeing dramatic declines of happiness across this country. . .more and more Americans are not able to realize that classic American pursuit.

In Part two, he focuses on the 3 key elements he wrote “Get Married” about:

1. Defying the Elites
2. Forging Strong Families
3. Saving Civilization

Specifically, Dr. Wilcox dives into the impact marriage has on kids.