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The states revealed as best to start a family amid cratering belief in the American Dream
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For those chasing the American dream, a new study has some insightful information about what it takes to attain it – along with data that might determine the best states to set down roots.
Declining marriages and broken families are crippling predominantly blue states, while red states thrive with better economic mobility, education and lower crime, according to a 2026 Family Structure Index released Tuesday by the Ohio-based Center for Christian Virtue.
In partnership with the Institute for Family Studies, the report examined three core factors: marriage rates, family stability and fertility rates. It also tracked cost of living, religious participation, family instability, and education levels, finding wide gaps across states that affect the «health and attainability of the American Dream.»
«This report should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and community leaders across the country,» CCV President Aaron Baer told Fox News Digital.
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A 2026 report by the Center for Christian Virtue and Institute for Family Studies compares red and blue states on family stability. (iStock)
Baer added that government programs alone «can’t replace strong families.»
«No amount of paid family leave, childcare subsidies, or social experimentation will rebuild the foundation that families provide,» he said. «If those policies were enough, states like California and New York would be leading the way. The data show otherwise. If we’re serious about reducing poverty and expanding opportunity, we need to strengthen the institutions that have always made America strong: faith, family, and economic freedom.»
The report finds that only 1 in 3 Americans believe in the American Dream.
The index clearly shows geographic divides. Red states like Utah rank first in family stability, while blue states like New Mexico trail behind.
Rocky Mountain and Great Plains states generally have higher marriage and fertility rates, according to the report.
Behind Utah, the rest of the top 5 states for family stability were Idaho, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota.
The bottom five states: Vermont, Nevada, Louisiana, Rhode Island, and New Mexico.
These differences are now impacting where people choose to live, according to the report.
South Carolina, for example, has seen marriage rates rise and its ranking on this list improve; while Hawaii has fallen as marriage rates decline and housing costs remain high.
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As these pressures grow, more Americans are leaving high-cost blue states for more affordable red states.
«Strong families are the foundation of a healthy society,» Baer said in a press release. «This report shows that when family structure weakens, the effects ripple outward to our schools, our communities and our economy. But it also makes clear that this is not inevitable. There is a solution and a path forward.»
Notably, the report highlights a clear link between family structure and economic outcomes.
States with more married parents saw lower child poverty rates, better educational outcomes, less crime and stronger economies, while those with higher shares of single-parent households face long-term challenges.
Other contributing factors also emerged.
States with higher religious participation saw higher birth rates, while expensive housing markets are tied to lower fertility rates, according to the report. Education also plays a role as more college-educated adults are more likely to form stable families due to economic security.
Since 2000, the national index score has dropped from 100 to 87.3, signaling a decline in family structure, the report added. While marriage rates have stabilized in recent years, fertility rates continue to fall and pose lasting constraints for future generations.
However, these trends do vary across both red and blue states, according to a CCV spokesperson, who said the report «also underscores that these trends are not confined to any one region or political ideology.»
The findings have prompted calls for policy changes focusing on strengthening families and economic conditions.
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A 2026 Family Structure Index report finds red states outperform blue states in family stability, economic mobility, and education. (iStock)
«The lesson going forward is clear,» Baer said. «Red and blue states alike should advance policies that make housing more affordable, ensure good-paying jobs are within reach, keep taxes low, and expand access to quality education.»
Baer added this comes down to the impact of stable households.
Stable two-parent homes are linked to higher college graduation rates and a better shot at reaching the middle class, the report said. Married adults are also about 80% less likely to live in poverty than single adults.
«Family structure is one of the strongest predictors we have for whether children and communities are thriving,» University of Virginia sociology professor and lead researcher Brad Wilcox said in a press release. «States that are doing well in this area have markedly lower levels of child poverty, as well as higher rates of economic mobility and homeownership.»
For many, economic realities have continued to fuel skepticism about the American Dream. Since 1980, fewer adults ages 25 to 54 have been able to buy homes, and only about 50% of those born in the 1980s earn more than their parents—down from 90% among those born in the 1940s.
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Marriage rates fell sharply from 2000 to 2010, followed by a 17% drop over the next decade, as «upward mobility has been cut nearly in half over two generations,» the report said.
«This isn’t just about statistics,» Baer said. «It’s about real children and real futures. If we want to see our nation thrive, we have to be serious about strengthening marriage and supporting families in every community.»
family personal freedoms, economy, politics, state, faith personal freedoms, utah, republicans elections, democratic party
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Conmoción en Damasco: explotaron dos bombas frente al hotel de Macron durante su visita a Siria
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Cuba restablece parcialmente la electricidad tras el tercer apagón nacional en seis meses
Cuba afirmó este martes haber restablecido más del 30% del suministro eléctrico en La Habana tras un nuevo apagón nacional, en un contexto de crisis energética agudizada por el bloqueo petrolero de Estados Unidos. Es el tercer apagón en los últimos seis meses y el octavo desde finales de 2024.
Según el último parte de la Empresa Eléctrica de La Habana, se han restablecido los “circuitos de distribución que benefician a 262.369 clientes (…) para el 30,4% en la ciudad”.
“El restablecimiento se realiza de forma gradual en la medida que lo permitan las condiciones”, añade la empresa, según la cual ya funcionan los servicios “vitales de salud” de 43 centros de atención médica de la capital.
La falta de combustible “complejiza indiscutiblemente el proceso de restauración” de la red eléctrica, había declarado el lunes por la noche en la televisión estatal Lázaro Guerra, director de Electricidad del Ministerio de Energía y Minas.
Miguel Díaz-Canel responsabilizó directamente a la política estadounidense de sanciones contra la isla. “Mientras EEUU trata de inducir un estallido social por asfixia, al bloquear los accesos de combustible a Cuba, la UNE (Unión Eléctrica de Cuba) se moviliza”, dijo en X.
“Es heroico lo que hacen los trabajadores eléctricos en medio de un bloqueo energético genocida”, añadió.
A mediodía del lunes, la compañía eléctrica anunció “desconexión total” del sistema que afecta a toda la isla, donde viven 9,6 millones de personas. No se precisaron las causas.
El envejecimiento del sistema eléctrico sumado al bloqueo petrolero desde enero hace que los cubanos enfrenten apagones de hasta 30 horas en la capital, y de varios días en el interior de la isla.
“Al final, teníamos tres o cuatro horas de luz al día, así que el mayor impacto ahora es que no sabes cuándo volverás a tener ese poquito de luz”, declaró a la AFP Meybol Font, una trabajadora independiente, de 51 años.
“Es agónico vivir así”, acotó la mujer.
La producción de electricidad en el país depende principalmente de siete centrales térmicas obsoletas, algunas de las cuales llevan más de 40 años en explotación y sufren averías frecuentes o deben parar para mantenimiento, así como de una red de generadores de respaldo alimentados con diésel importado.
La central eléctrica Antonio Guiteras, ubicada en el oeste de la isla y la principal del país, se encuentra paralizada desde hace varios días por una falla.
Esta central ha registrado más de 15 paralizaciones sucesivas por averías desde principios de año. Esta situación provoca cortes y racionamientos constantes, pese a un amplio programa de construcción de parques solares lanzado hace dos años.
Cuba se encuentra sumida en una fuerte crisis económica con escasez de alimentos, medicinas y una inflación galopante.
Los apagones se han intensificado desde que la administración estadounidense de Donald Trump cortó los envíos de petróleo desde Venezuela, principal proveedor de la isla, y amenazó con sanciones a otros países que le vendan combustible.
Un joven programador de 24 años que trabaja para una empresa privada de desarrollo de software en La Habana Vieja regresaba frustrado a su casa.
“No hay wifi, no hay electricidad, no podemos trabajar”, explicó a la AFP el joven, que prefirió no revelar su identidad.
Cuba solicitó para el martes una sesión especial de la Asamblea General, el principal órgano representativo de las Naciones Unidas, para abordar el tema de las sanciones estadounidenses.
En ese contexto, el canciller cubano, Bruno Rodríguez, afirmó el lunes que Washington busca impedir que la Asamblea se pronuncie sobre el impacto del bloqueo petrolero y otras sanciones impuestas a la isla.
“El gobierno de EEUU intenta impedir que la Asamblea General de la ONU se pronuncie. Presiona a gobiernos y busca coaccionar la voluntad soberana de los Estados miembros”, señaló en X Rodríguez, quien participará de la sesión del martes en la sede de la ONU en Nueva York.
Se requiere una votación de los Estados miembros para la apertura de un debate de este tipo ante la Asamblea General.
(AFP)
General Society,Human Interest,South America / Central America,Human Interest / Brights / Odd News
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Extremist streamer declares NYC an Islamic republic with popular terror chant: ‘Mamdani’s New York’
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A streamer who broadcasts to more than 1 million followers on a popular online platform set off a viral firestorm after invoking Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s name as he declared Islam would take over New York City.
«Allahu Akbar!» the extremist internet personality Sneako yelled amidst a group of Egypt soccer fans while drums were banged and horns were blown. Egyptian flags waved among the crowd as they chanted along.
Sneako, whose real name is Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy, has been described as a provocateur and palled around with the online antisemitic far-right during his rise to social media stardom. Before that, he was all-in on his support for the political far-left and supported the presidential campaign of socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in 2016. He reportedly converted to Islam in 2023.
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But Friday night, after Egypt dethroned Australia in the World Cup, he may have made his most controversial splash yet while live broadcasting on the streets of New York City on the video streaming platform Kick.
Mockingly wiping tears from his eyes, Sneak said: «Oh no, oh no. F— you!»
«This is the Islamic Republic of New York-istan,» he continued. «Islam will be in every household. Inshallah the whole world will be Muslim.»
«Welcome to Mamdani’s New York. You see this city? You see how it looks? Inshallah, your city looks just like this too,» he shouted among the crowd.
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«Inshallah» is Arabic for «God willing,» and «Allahu Akbar» is Arabic for «God is great.»
Sneako attends WrestleMania After Dark Las Vegas Hall Of Fame event featuring Metro Boomin at LIV Nightclub at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on April 19, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images) (Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)
Mamdani is the first Muslim mayor of New York.
The clip of Sneako quickly circulated the web, garnering tens of millions of views across platforms including Instagram and X, while thousands of people slammed him for the pronouncement.
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One of the sharpest replies came from Rob O’Neill, the Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden in an early morning raid on the terrorist’s compound in 2011.
«These guys sound WAY different when you wake them up at 2am,» he said.
A pair of massive personalities on X, who have a history of bad blood, even teamed up to demand a harsh punishment for the streamer.
«Deport him NOW!!!» conspiracy theorist Alex Jones said in reply to the clip, which elicited a response from X owner and former Jones opponent Elon Musk.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a primary-night watch party for congressional candidate Claire Valdez at 99 Scott Studio on June 23, 2026 in Brooklyn. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
«Yes,» Musk simply replied.
When Musk purchased X — then Twitter — and vowed the return of free speech to the platform, Jones had been permanently suspended. At first, Musk was hesitant to reinstate Jones given the Sandy Hook controversy that surrounded the radio show host. Eventually, however, Musk relented.
One X user labeled the streamer as a «Disgusting creature.»
«Send this dude to Iran if he hates America so much,» said another.
Sneako appeared to cryptically address the controversy in a post of his own on X Sunday night.
Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, arrived in Beijing aboard Air Force One as part of President Donald Trump’s delegation for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Johannes Neudecker/picture alliance/Getty Images)
«Every knee will bow,» he posted. «Every tongue confess.»
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On Monday, he took a shot at Musk for echoing Jones’ deportation post.
«Go back to Africa,» he told Musk, who is native to South African. «This is my country.»
Mamdani’s office did not return Fox News Digital’s request for comment on Sneako’s comments.
politics, elon musk, islam, zohran mamdani, new york city
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