Family

The family is the basic unit of society and as such it should receive all the support and protections necessary.  The rights and responsibilities of the family must be treasured, appreciated, and valued. I believe government needs to protect traditional moral values as they enable a family to provide for the emotional and physical needs of individuals.  Without those needs met individuals are not able to realize economic and social development. 

I believe in advancing pro-life, anti-abortion, and pro-family legislation.  Anything that undermines the ability of a family to function, grow and support individuals also undermines our society. 

Some alarming statistics related to the erosion of the family:

• Annual taxpayer costs in Utah associated with children born to teen parents is estimated to exceed $63 million per year.*   Including:

1. $13 million for public health care (Medicaid and SCHIP)
2. $13 million for child welfare
3. $9 million for incarceration
4. $21 million in lost tax revenue, due to decreased earnings and spending.

• There were 37,350 complaints of child abuse recorded by the Utah Department of Human Services in their 2011 report.
• Children in Utah between the ages of 5 to 18 who have been victims of bullying - 38,544 per year estimate.**   
• Approximately 9% of youths in Utah between 12 to 17 have reported having at least one major depressive episode in the past year.***  

In spite of the challenges facing families today there are also great reasons to be optimistic.

Some positive statistics in Utah:

• Data from the U.S. Govt. Census Bureau has listed Utah as the state with the lowest teen pregnancy rate and abortion rates in the US.
• Utah was ranked as the #1 best state in which to raise children by the Children's Right's Council.
• Nationally Utah has the second lowest death rate, the healthiest population; the highest literacy rate; the highest percentage of high school graduates; and the highest number of people with a college education.

Children have natural trust and faith in their parents and those around them.  But we need to do our part and assure that their optimism is well founded in us - now more than ever.  

Sources:

1. *“By the Numbers: The Public Costs of Teen Childbearing,” www.teenpregnancy.org/costs, November 2006
2. Utah Department of Human Services, "Quick Facts Sheet," 2011.  
3. **Research by Brenda High - Director, Bully Police USA, Inc. (www.BullyPolice.org)
4. ***SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2007 and 2008 
5. Statistical Abstract of the United States 1997: National Data Book. Washington, D.C.: Census Bureau, U.S. Dept. of Commerce.
   
6.  Children's Rights Council Annual Ranking of States Based on Child Well Being, 1996 Council.
   
7. Awesomeamerica.com/utah; September 10, 2011.