On the Family: The Final Attack (Part I).

The family, as envisioned by God, has always been the cornerstone of human society. It is within the family that children learn love, respect, and the foundational truths of our faith. As marriage rates decline, divorce rates rise, and children suffer from neglect and lack of direction, it's impossible to ignore that something deeply troubling is happening within our homes. 

It’s not just that families are struggling to survive; it feels like there’s an ongoing societal push to break and disregard them altogether. There's a growing sense that marriage itself is becoming obsolete, or worse, irrelevant. In popular culture, marriage is often portrayed as something that restricts, traps, or stifles. The portrayal of marriage as an antiquated institution has seeped into public consciousness, eroding its perceived value.

Meanwhile, divorce has become so common that it’s almost no longer viewed as a tragic event. It’s a norm, almost a rite of passage. Today, half of all marriages end in divorce, a number that signals a fundamental shift in how we view commitment, relationships, and the very meaning of family. The dissolution of the family affects more than just the couple involved. Children, caught in the crossfire, are often the silent casualties.

A Disconnect Between Society and Family Needs

Families are no longer immune to the pressures and pitfalls of modern life. Economic challenges, social pressures, and the rise of individualism have left many struggling to keep their families intact. But these are symptoms of a deeper issue. There’s an increasing disconnect between what families need to thrive and what society is offering them.

With both parents often working long hours, the time and energy required to foster deep, meaningful relationships with children is becoming harder and harder to find. Children are being raised by screens, not by parents. They are influenced more by social media and peer pressure than by the nurturing and guidance of those who are supposed to care for them the most. As a result, there’s a dangerous void of emotional connection, a gap in love and security.

And this crisis is only deepened by the cultural shifts born out of the so-called sexual revolution. What was promised as freedom has instead become a chain. People are taught that pleasure is the highest good and that responsibility—especially the responsibility of raising children—is a burden to be avoided. Parenthood, once seen as the natural fruit of love, is now treated as an obstacle to self-fulfillment.

The result? Entire generations rejecting the very idea of having children, severing themselves from the most natural and life-giving purpose written into the human heart. To turn away from the gift of new life is to turn against the natural law itself. And when a culture embraces this rejection, it not only leaves children uncared for—it leaves countless children unborn.

This mindset corrodes the soul of society. A people who do not welcome children are a people who have lost hope in the future. They trade fruitfulness for fleeting pleasures, and in doing so, they plant seeds of emptiness that will haunt the generations to come.

The Silent Crisis: Impact on Children

Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of this crisis is how it impacts children. As the institution of family weakens, so does the ability to provide children with the love, discipline, and attention they need. Kids are often left to fend for themselves, whether in a broken home or one where both parents are physically present but emotionally absent.

The neglect isn’t always obvious. It isn’t always a case of outright abandonment. But it’s the subtle neglect that is even more damaging—the neglect of time, attention, and affection. Children today are raised on “lukewarmness.” They are given everything but the things that matter most: emotional depth, real connection, consistent guidance, and most importantly, the faith.

Without these things, the foundation for their future is fragile. They may grow up surrounded by material wealth or external comforts, but lacking in the internal strength to handle life’s challenges. They become adults who don’t know how to cope with real-life struggles, because they’ve never been taught how to face adversity with love and resilience.

Children raised in unstable, emotionally cold environments are more likely to struggle with mental health issues, addiction, and a lack of direction. They become a generation of lost souls, yearning for connection but unsure where to find it. And, as we’ve seen, these issues compound with every passing generation.

There’s also a broader societal cost. When families fall apart, it creates ripples that touch every corner of society. Education systems are overwhelmed, healthcare systems suffer from the rise in mental health issues, and the justice system becomes clogged with young people who don’t know how to navigate their emotions or make responsible decisions. A generation of neglect doesn’t just harm individuals; it harms the entire society.

Rebuilding the Family: A Societal Imperative

The crisis in the family is a reflection of a larger crisis in society. We have to stop treating family and marriage as disposable, transient concepts. Instead, we need to return to the idea that strong families form the backbone of a thriving society. We must recognize that nurturing children, providing them with emotional security, and fostering healthy relationships are not just nice ideas—they are essential to the survival of our future.

It’s not enough to simply blame external factors like the economy or technology. We must look inward and ask ourselves what we are doing to contribute to the weakening of the family. Are we placing too much emphasis on individual success, career advancement, and personal freedom at the expense of our relationships? Are we prioritizing convenience over connection?

The family is the first school of virtue, the first place where children learn right from wrong, where they first encounter the love of Christ. To heal the family, we need to recognize the value of commitment—commitment to marriage, commitment to children, and, ultimately, commitment to each other. We need to recognize that love, in its truest form, requires sacrifice, patience, and effort. It is not a fleeting feeling; it’s a daily choice to care for and support those closest to us.

Returning to the Foundation of Faith

The future is built on the strength of the family. If we neglect it now, we will find ourselves facing a future filled with disconnection, confusion, and a lack of purpose. But if we choose to invest in our families by strengthening marriages, investing time in our children, and returning to the values that have historically held society together—then we can rebuild a foundation for a better tomorrow. This is not easy. It requires sacrifice. It requires putting others before ourselves. It requires patience, forgiveness, and, above all, prayer. But it is in the family, the domestic Church, that we encounter the love of God most fully. 

St. Thomas Aquinas once said, '‘Love is the highest virtue, and the perfection of charity is found in the sacrificial love within marriage.” To heal the family, we must first return to the foundation of faith. We must make Christ the center of our homes, for only with Him can we truly love and serve one another. We must prioritize our relationships, above all else. Our careers, our social lives, and our individual ambitions must take second place to the duty we have to our spouses and children.

As Catholics, we must ask ourselves: How much longer can society continue to ignore the collapse of the family? How much longer will we allow the destruction of marriage and family to continue unchecked? The crisis within the family is not an isolated issue—it’s a societal one. And it’s up to us to decide whether we will let it be torn apart or whether we will fight to restore its strength.