The importance of family – reflections on the International Day of Families

The International Day of Families on May 15 offers us the opportunity to reflect on the foundational role of families in our lives. The UN established this day in 1993 to highlight the family as the cornerstone of society. On this day, we take the opportunity to reflect on the role of the family in society and within our Church Community.

Today, families face mounting challenges — economic pressures, global instability, the pervasive influence of social media, and evolving definitions of what constitutes a family. These factors can disrupt the traditional family unit and create uncertainty, making it increasingly difficult for parents and guardians to provide stability and support.

However, research shows that strong families contribute to lower crime rates, reduced mental illness, and increased social sustainability (Eva-Lotta Nilsson, 2017). Children who grow up in stable homes with two parents generally do better, perform better in school, and are less likely to end up in social isolation (Paul R. Amato, 2005).

This underscores the need for society to support and strengthen family cohesion.

In our own Church Community, we have seen how strong family values can thrive even amid modern challenges. The Plymouth Brethren are deeply family-oriented, and we live, work and pray together as ‘Brethren’, a community of families held together by our common Christian belief. Our Plymouth Brethren values are that, by following the guidance of the Holy Bible, our children can grow up feeling loved, valued, and supported, enjoying their childhood within a strong family unit.

Marriage holds a central place in our Community and the incidence of marriage break-up amongst our members is fortunately very rare and well below societal norms.  For example, approximately 98 per cent of families within our Church have stayed together for the past 25 years – a clear sign that it is possible to build lasting and strong family bonds, even in today’s fragmented world.

Christian churches and communities have an important role to play – by offering pastoral care, practical help, and fellowship, churches can serve as a haven for many.

The family is not only an issue for people of faith — we should recognise the importance of family for all of society. We need to ensure the family’s role is not marginalised but recognised as a foundation for stability. This includes advocating for policies that support marriage, responsible parenting, and the care of our elderly.

This International Day of Families, we invite you to reflect on the importance of family in your own life and community. What can we do—as individuals, communities, and nations—to protect and promote strong family bonds?

Let’s work together to ensure that families remain the heart of a stable, caring and compassionate society.

When we strengthen the family, we also strengthen society — and that benefits us all.