For Legislators

The evidence base for family-strengthening policy in Arizona.

The Renewing Arizona Families report is the most comprehensive analysis of family structure in Arizona’s history. Produced by the Institute for Family Studies using CDC, Census Bureau, and Arizona Department of Education data, it provides county-level evidence on how marriage and family stability affect education, poverty, mental health, homeownership, and public safety across the state.

This page provides summary data and downloadable resources for legislative staff and elected officials.

1. Success Sequence Education

Finish high school. Work full-time. Marry before having children. Research shows that 97% of young adults who follow these three achievable steps avoid poverty — and they're significantly happier, too. Arizona's students deserve to know the most powerful pathway to the Arizona Dream.

2. Lessen Burdens on Marriage and Family Formation

Marriage is one of the strongest predictors of well-being ever documented — yet current policies can inadvertently penalize Arizona couples for choosing to commit. Removing those barriers means more families formed, more children thriving, and stronger communities across the state.

3. Public Marriage and Family Campaign

Culture shapes choices, and choices shape families. A statewide effort to share the research-backed truth about the benefits of marriage and family can shift the conversation — and the trajectory — for a generation of Arizonans.

4. Premarital and Relationship Education

Strong marriages don't happen by accident. When couples invest in their relationship before and after the wedding — through education, mentoring, and community support — marriages last longer and families grow stronger.

5. Protect Children from Predatory Technology

Arizona's children face digital threats their parents never imagined. Safeguarding childhood means ensuring the platforms, apps, and AI systems our kids encounter are designed for their well-being — not just for engagement and profit.