For decades, the Left has waged a two-front war on the family: one cultural, the other economic. The cultural front attacks the idea of a strong, stable, two-parent household. The financial front, more subtle but even more destructive, is the welfare state. Economist Thomas Sowell has long warned that well-intentioned government programs have dismantled the institutions that once held communities together.

Sowell’s critique is rooted in complex data. When the government replaces the role of the father, families begin to break apart. His research shows that before the expansion of welfare programs in the 1960s, Black families in America had stronger marriage rates and more intact households. This was true even in the face of segregation and systemic racism. What changed? The rise of welfare incentives that penalized marriage and rewarded single parenthood.

Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” aimed to reduce poverty by expanding the welfare state. Instead, it created incentives that made it easier for a single mother to receive financial assistance than for a married couple. This led to a rapid increase in the number of fatherless households across the country. Over time, these policies contributed to higher rates of poverty, crime, school dropout, and multi-generational dependence on government aid.

Sowell argues that these government programs not only displaced fathers but devalued them. Welfare made it financially feasible to raise children without a male breadwinner in the home. Over time, a cultural shift followed, where fatherhood and marriage became optional rather than essential. In many cases, they were even viewed as outdated or oppressive.

The consequences are measurable. A study published in PubMed by the National Institutes of Health, which tracked over 8,000 children, found a clear link between early childhood father absence and increased depression during adolescence and young adulthood. The study concluded that the psychological effects of fatherlessness are comparable to the impact of severe trauma.

Sowell also points to rising divorce rates as a product of the welfare system. When survival no longer depends on two adults sharing economic responsibility, the incentive to stay together weakens. Some welfare programs even reduce benefits for married couples, which effectively punishes those who choose to stay together. This creates a financial incentive to separate, even in cases where the relationship itself could have been preserved.

Instead of promoting stability, the welfare system rewards fragmentation. As families break down, children are more likely to grow up without structure, discipline, or reliable role models. These children face greater challenges in school, are more vulnerable to crime, and struggle with mental health in ways that directly tie back to family instability.

This trend is not limited to the United States. I live in Europe, where welfare benefits are even more generous, and the societal consequences are even more dramatic. In countries like France, Germany, and Sweden, long-term dependency has become normalized. These states have also seen an increase in social fragmentation and growing tension linked to mass immigration, which often takes advantage of the same generous systems.

Sowell’s central warning remains relevant. Government programs may begin with noble intentions, but without accountability or time limits, they end up encouraging dependence and undermining personal responsibility. As President John F. Kennedy once said, the government should help people help themselves. It should not replace the role of the family, especially the father, with bureaucratic programs.

Welfare reform is long overdue. Policymakers must eliminate the penalties that discourage marriage and reward single parenthood. They must design programs that offer a path to independence, not a permanent lifestyle. The most effective anti-poverty program is not a government check but a healthy, intact family.

The Left has mocked and undermined the traditional family for years. They have created a culture where walking away from responsibility is easy and socially acceptable. But the data is precise. Every step we take away from fatherhood and family unity brings more instability, more dependency, and more suffering.

We should celebrate the institution of fatherhood itself. We must stop apologizing for believing in strong families and stop funding policies that destroy them. If we want to build a better future, it starts at home.

George Harizanov is the CEO of the Institute for Right-Wing Policies in Sofia, Bulgaria