Event details

U.S. fertility is at a record low. Young adults are delaying marriage and childbearing, and a growing share are opting out of marriage and family all together. At the same time, the cost of raising children continues to rise, and concerns about economic challenges now outweigh cultural ones in public opinion when Americans are asked about the issues facing families today. We are entering an age with much more uncertainty toward the things we used to be sure of: Getting married and having children. There has been an increased interest among conservatives in a more active and affirmative family policy, the question is: Can government help? This talk brings together Patrick Brown of the Ethics and Public Policy Center and Rachel Lu, Associate Editor of Law & Liberty, for a conversation on the contemporary challenges to family formation and flourishing. Together, they will explore the economic, cultural, and moral factors influencing family decisions today, and consider the benefits and costs of expanding the state's role in supporting family formation. The discussion will be moderated by Wendy Wang, Senior Fellow and Director of Research at the Institute for Family Studies.

Patrick T. Brown *19 is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, where his work focuses on developing a robust pro-family economic agenda and supporting families as the cornerstone of a healthy and flourishing society. His writing has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, National Review, Politico, The Washington Post, and other national outlets, and he regularly speaks on pro-family policy on college campuses and on Capitol Hill. Previously a senior policy advisor to Congress’ Joint Economic Committee, he is a contributing editor at The Public Discourse and contributing writer at The Dispatch. He has also been a regular contributor to CNN Opinion and a government relations staffer for Catholic Charities USA. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master’s in Public Affairs from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs.

Rachel Lu is an associate editor at Law & Liberty and a regular contributor at America Magazine, National Review, Word on Fire, and various other publications. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, and has a PhD in philosophy from Cornell University, where she wrote a dissertation on the work of St. Bonaventure. She is a Robert Novak Journalism Fellow, and a returned Peace Corps Volunteer. Rachel and her husband Mathew are raising five sons in St. Paul, MN.

Wendy R. Wang is the Director of Research and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Family Studies and an expert on demographic trends, marriage, family, and well-being. Passionate about helping disadvantaged young adults succeed, Dr. Wang’s research sheds light on critical social issues. She regularly contributes op-eds and commentary to major media outlets, including The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, National Review, Deseret News, and the Daily Mail. Her work is frequently cited in national media. Previously, Dr. Wang served as a Senior Researcher at the Pew Research Center, where she led the landmark report Breadwinner Moms, among other influential Pew studies. She holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Maryland.