RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING JULY AS NUCLEAR FAMILY MONTH IN GENESEE COUNTY
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
WHEREAS, strong families serve as the foundational building block of a healthy and prosperous society; and
WHEREAS, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, the nuclear family is defined as “a group of people who are united by ties of partnership and parenthood and consisting of a pair of adults and their socially recognized children”; and
WHEREAS, the nuclear family has historically played a central role in nurturing future generations by providing emotional support, moral guidance, economic cooperation, and educational encouragement essential to the healthy development of children and the overall well-being of communities; and
WHEREAS, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reported in Reducing Intergenerational Poverty (2024) that in 2019, only 7.0 percent of children in married two-parent households lived below the Supplemental Poverty Measure, compared to 27.6 percent of children in single-parent households, demonstrating a strong association between family structure and child economic stability; and
WHEREAS, a 2013 peer-reviewed synthesis published in the Annual Review of Sociology by researchers including Princeton University scholar Sara McLanahan found consistent evidence across multiple studies that father absence is associated with increased risks of behavioral challenges, lower educational attainment, and adverse long-term mental health outcomes; and
WHEREAS, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023), approximately 46.6 percent of households with children in Genesee County are single-parent households, underscoring both the importance of supporting all families and the value of policies that strengthen stable two-parent family structures; and
WHEREAS, stable family environments contribute to improved academic achievement, stronger emotional development, and greater economic opportunity for children, which in turn strengthen neighborhoods, schools, and civic life throughout Genesee County; and
WHEREAS, the Genesee County Board of Commissioners recognizes the dedication and sacrifices of parents and caregivers who work to provide safe, stable, and supportive homes for their children and acknowledges the importance of policies and community efforts that strengthen family.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, hereby recognizes and honors the importance of the nuclear family and its enduring role in fostering responsible citizenship, stable communities, and the well-being of future generations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board encourages policies, programs, and community partnerships that support family stability, parental engagement, child development, and long-term economic opportunity for families throughout Genesee County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be spread upon the official minutes of the June 10, 2026 Board of Commissioner’s meeting and transmitted to relevant community organizations and stakeholders.