Settle Down and Raise a Family

A recent study sought to examine the factors that corresponded to economic mobility, which they define as the likelihood that a child born in one economic class will change during their lifetime. The two largest effects might be of interest to Latter-day Saints. Family stability – Children who have two-parent households are the most likely to move, when other factors are accounted for. Friendships with individuals from other economic classes – While this does not directly call out church as a factor, the researchers found that extracurriculars aren’t as effective at cultivating these friendships as they are becoming increasingly segregated by class. But the researchers found that churches are successful at forming these kinds of friendships. Brad Wilcox of the Institute for Family Studies concludes that, “Cross-class relationships will not easily be forged by policies/institutions/etc. *unless* a common ethos/end/telos undergirds such friendships.”