The Amazing Ways Fathers Matter

Family, ,

Recently, John Stonestreet at the Colson Center recorded a commentary highlighting the importance of fathers.

Stonestreet says the research is clear: “In every possible area of child development — relationally, physically, socially, educationally, even spiritually — dads bring a unique set of contributions to the lives and wellbeing of their children.”

Social science has shown us that moms and dads both matter. Various studies have concluded children from intact families with a married mom and a dad tend to be more engaged at school, have higher cognitive scores, and show greater self-control.

In 2023, the CDC released a report showing teens who lived in a two-parent household with their biological or adoptive parents were less likely to engage in sexual activity than their peers.

And fathers in particular have a tremendous impact on their children’s spiritual formation.

Our modern culture rightly celebrates mothers. We all know mothers matter. But it’s important that we not overlook the importance of fathers as well.

You can listen to Stonestreet’s entire commentary below or read it online here.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Out-of-State Attorneys Join Ten Commandments Lawsuit

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Out-of-state attorneys from atheist organizations have been given a green light to participate in a lawsuit  that would block the Ten Commandments in Arkansas’ schools and public buildings.

Arkansas law requires a copy of the national motto, “In God We Trust,” to be displayed in public schools and other public buildings. Act 573 of 2025 by Sen. Jim Dotson (R — Bentonville) and Rep. Alyssa Brown (R — Heber Springs) requires a historical copy of the Ten Commandments to be displayed as well. The measure received strong support in the Arkansas Legislature earlier this year, and the governor signed it into law on April 14. Act 573 is slated to take effect later this summer.

However, the ACLU filed a lawsuit on June 11 to block Act 573. On Monday, the federal court issued a series of procedural orders letting attorneys from the Freedom From Religion Foundation in Wisconsin and Americans United for Separation of Church and State in Washington, D.C., represent plaintiffs in the case as well.

This is not the first time these groups have opposed laws in Arkansas. The Freedom From Religion Foundation is currently part of a lawsuit to remove a monument of the Ten Commandments from the capitol lawn in Little Rock. And both organizations also have a history of complaining about religious expression in Arkansas.

Over the years, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that items that are important to our nation’s history — like the Ten Commandments or the national motto — may be honored and recognized publicly without running afoul of the First Amendment.

The Ten Commandments are one of the earliest examples of the rule of law in human history, and they have had a profound impact in shaping America’s concept of the rule of law as well.

Besides being culturally and historically significant, copies of the Ten Commandments have often appeared in artwork at courthouses and similar locations around the country.

During her testimony in support of Act 573 last April, Rep. Alyssa Brown noted that the U.S. Supreme Court uses a “longstanding history and tradition test” to decide if it is constitutional to display something like a copy of the Ten Commandments. Rep. Brown said, “The Ten Commandments without a doubt will pass this longstanding history and tradition test.”

We believe our federal courts ultimately will agree and uphold Act 573 as constitutional.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Health Experts Push Back on Marijuana ‘Treatment’ for Autism

Marijuana

Despite a lack of clear, scientific evidence, some parents reportedly are turning to marijuana to treat autism in children.

The Wall Street Journal writes,

While medical marijuana is prescribed for everything from cancer symptoms to epilepsy to chronic pain and even dementia, its use in children with autism is more controversial.

After all, we know regular use of THC in adolescents can negatively impact their developing brains and lead to a higher risk of mental-health problems.

THC — the main psychoactive substance in marijuana — has been tied to everything from heart disease and cancer to stroke, mental illness, and birth defects.

The Wall Street Journal notes that the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry actually warns against using marijuana to treat autism in children, and The Autism Science Foundation says parents should be “very cautious” about giving THC to kids.

Food, drinks, and other products laced with THC often mimic popular candies that appeal to children, but their high concentrations of THC make these products dangerous.

For years now, public health data across America has shown marijuana products are sending kids to the emergency room and prompting parents to call poison control centers.

This year, multiple bills legalizing THC-infused food and drinks were filed at the Arkansas Legislature. Fortunately, none of those bills passed, and lawmakers actually enacted a measure to prohibit THC in Arkansas.

All of this simply underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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