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The Virginian governor has signed legislation requiring local schools to teach the benefits and value of marriage as part of the state Board of Education's Family Life Education program.
Gov. Tim Kaine on Tuesday signed into law SB 827 and HB 1746, which broadens the range of topics covered by the family life education curriculum in grades K through 12 to include instruction on "the benefits, challenges, responsibilities, and value of marriage for men, women, children, and communities."
The legislation was introduced by Senator Ralph Smith (R-22, Botetourt) and Delegate Brenda Pogge (R-96, Yorktown) based on the recommendation of The Family Foundation’s 2007-2008 Marriage Commission. The commission found that current requirements for the FLE program asked students to describe difficult family situations including financial problems, separation or divorce, injury or death, the loss of job and the birth of a baby.
The Commission recommended that the FLE guidelines be amended to require the teaching of the positive effects of marriage.
The legislation would help to reverse declining marriage and climbing divorce rates in the state, according to The Family Foundation president Victoria Cobb, who called it the group's highest priority legislation supporting marriage.
On Wednesday, she sent an e-mail asking supporters to thank the governor for backing the law.
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According to Brad Wilcox, professor of sociology at the University of Virginia and a member of The Family Foundation’s marriage commission, "Research shows that children who grow up in an intact, married family are about 50 percent less likely to experience serious psychological, academic, or social problems as children or young adults, compared to children who grow up in single or step-families."
Kaine has also signed legislation that requires local school boards to better notify parents regarding what is being taught in Family Life Education so that parents can make a more informed decision about whether their kids should participate in that class.
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