Family Policy Institute of Oklahoma to host marriage and family scholar
Published: February 7th, 2016
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Family Policy Institute of Oklahoma (FPIO) will host marriage and family scholar Brad Wilcox in OKC on Tuesday (February 9) to discuss his latest research findings. His work focuses on why natural marriage matters for the economic success of states and the well-being of children.
Timothy Tardibono, President of the Family Policy Institute expressed excitement about the visit: “Professor Wilcox is one of America’s preeminent scholars on natural marriage and the positive impact intact families have on people, communities and states. At a time when Oklahoma’s budget continues to stagger, Professor Wilcox will elaborate on the economic benefits natural marriage promotes and why policymakers and community leaders should encourage natural marriage and stable father-mother parenting.”
Tardibono continued, “In fact, Wilcox’s new report – ‘Strong Families, Prosperous States‘ –- finds that if Oklahoma enjoyed 1980-levels of married parenthood, its per capita GDP would be 2.5 percent higher, its median family income would be 5.6 percent higher, and its child poverty rate would be 8.5 percent lower.”
Wilcox says, “What’s clear from the data is that Oklahoma’s economy would be in better shape if Sooner families were stronger.” Wilcox will speak at 2 p.m. at MetroTech’s Springlake Campus at 1900 Springlake Dr. in Oklahoma City.
Also at MetroTech at 3:30 p.m., Professor Wilcox will be presenting the findings of his new book: “Soul Mates: Religion, Sex, Love & Marriage Among African Americans and Latinos.”
“Soul Mates” is the first book to chronicle the vital role that churches play in contemporary America among Black and Latino families. Rather than focusing on what’s wrong with American families, Wilcox shines a spotlight on the many happy couples benefiting from regular participation in a spiritual community.
Wilcox’s findings demonstrate that couples who attend religious services regularly, regardless of denomination, are much more likely to enjoy strong relationships. In addition to his stops at MetroTech, Prof. Wilcox plans to visit the state Capitol and to speak to home schoolers during his visit to Oklahoma.
For more information and to register, visit: www.okfamily.org/events
Wilcox is a senior fellow of the Institute for Family Studies, a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, and a member of Oklahoma’s Research Advisory Group where he provides guidance to the nationally respected Family Expectations and Project Relate programs and strategies.
The Family Policy Institute of Oklahoma is a non-profit, non-partisan organization which seeks to protect families and strengthen communities by advancing positive cultural and societal initiatives that will improve the well-being of Oklahoma’s children and families.
More information is available from Timothy Tardibono, FPIO President at info@okfamily.org or by telephone at 405-664-6514.