Families have played a critical role in providing the social, emotional, economic, and spiritual needs of people since time immemorial, without much public support. Families are still relevant to the well-being of individuals and of society, but diverse social events have changed the nature and function of families, and that has created a significant burden on families. There is now a greater need for public support than ever before. Although all states have some legislation for family support, only a few states have demonstrated a commitment to promoting families by enacting legislation that supports family functioning. The findings of this study show that family policies in most states still lag behind the current rhetoric about supporting families.
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