Renewing the American Dream in the Buckeye State

The American Dream promises "a better, richer, happier life for all," yet is always under threat, as James Truslow Adams warned over a century ago. But the family is a foundational safeguard to keep the Dream alive from generation to generation. 

Although we can't directly test whether family stability ensures that Ohioans can pursue and achieve happiness—a central aspect of the American Dream—we do have a measure of its opposite: depression. 

What we've seen...

📉 Children aged 7 to 17 are more likely to have a parent report that their child has been diagnosed with depression by a therapist or school counselor if their family is not intact.

🏠 More than twice as many children in disrupted families are reported as depressed compared to children in intact families.

📊 When controlling for age, sex, race, parent education, and income, children in disrupted families have a 1.93 times higher chance of depression.

But we have hope to get back on track!

Ohio has long been a world leader in groundbreaking innovation. Human flight started in a humble bike shop with two brothers in Dayton, the cash register was invented in the state, and professional baseball began in Cincinnati. The state's days of groundbreaking innovation are far from over!

But while we rank below the national average at #29 on the Family Structure Index, the Buckeye State can lead again on marriage and family promotion, making it desirable and affordable to have children.

When families are strong in Ohio:

✅ Poverty and crime decrease;

✅ Student success increases;

✅ Economic mobility is higher;

✅ Children are reportedly less depressed; and

✅ Our communities are safer.

With strong leaders, business owners, pastors, and community members like you, we can help preserve the American dream in the Buckeye State.