Vance's Controversial Remarks on Marriage and Divorce Spark Debate

In a 2021 event hosted by a private high school in Newport Beach, California, JD Vance, the author of the bestselling memoir "Hillbilly Elegy" and a future Republican vice presidential nominee, made controversial remarks about the impact of the sexual revolution and divorce on children. Vance's comments have since resurfaced and sparked a heated debate, with some calling them "radical" and "dangerous," while others have defended his position.

Exploring the Complexities of Marriage, Divorce, and Their Impact on Children

Vance's Perspective on the Consequences of the Sexual Revolution

According to Vance, the sexual revolution of the 1960s led to a societal shift in the way people viewed marriage, with some now seeing it as a "basic contract, like any other business deal." Vance argued that this change has had a detrimental impact on children, even in cases where the marriages were "maybe even violent" or "fundamentally unhappy." He contended that the ease with which people could "shift spouses like they change their underwear" has resulted in "a lot of very, very real family dysfunction that's making our kids unhappy."

Domestic Violence and the Complexities of Marital Relationships

Vance's comments have drawn criticism from those who argue that his perspective fails to adequately address the realities of domestic violence. California state senator Dave Min, whose wife directs a legal aid clinic that provides free representation to survivors of domestic violence, described Vance's remarks as "ignorant" and "reprehensible." Min emphasized that "domestic violence is never acceptable, in any circumstance."In response, Vance has argued that his comments were not an endorsement of domestic violence, but rather a critique of the "progressive frame" on the issue. He contended that the "war on families" has actually made the domestic violence situation worse, a claim that is not supported by the reported decline in the rate of domestic violence over Vance's lifetime.

Vance's Personal Experiences and the Complexities of Marriage

Vance's own experiences with his grandparents' tumultuous and at times violent marriage, as detailed in "Hillbilly Elegy," provide a personal perspective on the complexities of marital relationships. Vance described his grandfather as "a violent drunk" and his grandmother as "a violent nondrunk," recounting a harrowing incident where his grandmother set his grandfather on fire.Despite the violence and dysfunction in their relationship, Vance's grandparents remained married until the end, a decision that Vance viewed as "a really important thing" to them. This experience seems to have shaped Vance's belief in the importance of preserving the institution of marriage, even in the face of adversity.

Exploring Policy Solutions to Reinvigorate Marriage

In the Orange County event, Vance was asked about cultural avenues or government policies that could "reinvigorate Americans' belief in the institution of marriage." In response, Vance pointed to the example of Hungary, where the government has implemented a policy of offering subsidized loans to newly married couples, with the loans being forgiven if the couple has at least three children.Vance described this policy as "really crazy," but noted that it has led to a "skyrocket" in the number of marriages and "stable, long-term marriages" in Hungary. While the merits of such a policy are debatable, Vance's willingness to explore unconventional approaches to addressing the perceived decline in marriage reflects his deep-seated belief in the importance of this institution.