Heritage Foundation Warns of Family Crisis, Offers No Solutions

Conservative think tank highlights declining birth rates and marriage, but fails to propose remedies

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington think tank, has released a 164-page report titled "Saving America by Saving the Family" that raises concerns about declining birth rates and marriage in the United States. The report asks "What happens to a nation when its citizens largely stop having children and, when they do, eschew marriage?" However, the report does not offer any specific solutions to address these societal trends.

Why it matters

The Heritage Foundation's report highlights growing concerns about the long-term implications of declining fertility and marriage rates in the U.S., which could have significant economic and social consequences. However, the lack of concrete policy proposals in the report has drawn criticism from those who argue the think tank is identifying problems without providing meaningful remedies.

The details

The Heritage Foundation's extensive report examines various factors contributing to declining birth rates and marriage, including economic pressures, cultural shifts, and policy decisions. The think tank argues these trends pose a threat to the traditional family structure and American society as a whole. However, the report does not outline specific policy recommendations or action steps to address these issues.

  • The Heritage Foundation released its 164-page report "Saving America by Saving the Family" in February 2026.

The players

The Heritage Foundation

A conservative Washington-based think tank that has released a report examining declining birth rates and marriage in the United States.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

While the Heritage Foundation's report highlights valid concerns about the societal implications of declining fertility and marriage rates, the lack of concrete policy proposals has drawn criticism from those who argue the think tank is identifying problems without offering meaningful solutions to address them.