Does Your Family Make a Global Difference? Family Data Researcher Has the Answers

Dr. Pat Fagan is Founder and Director of the Marriage and Religion Research Institute (MARRI) at the Family Research Council (now a part of The Catholic University of America). He is also a professional therapist specializing in child, family and marital therapy for couples considering divorce. He publishes and edits Marripedia.org, a Wikipedia-like resource on social sciences of impact of marriage and religious worship. This is an audio podcast of The Dr J Show. Full video episode is available here. Dr. Fagan has authored over thirty synthesis papers and has commissioned dozens of original research projects in marriage, family, child development, and religious practice. His decades of analyzing federal surveys and social science studies has proven that marriage is the foundational relationship in society, and fidelity is its foundational virtue. His research has shown that the cultivation of both faithfulness and marriage is integral to all vibrant cultures. Dr. Fagan began his career as a teacher in Ireland, then became a clinical psychologist specializing in child, family and marital therapy in Canada. Because of his deep concerns about government undermining marriage and the family, he entered the public policy field in the U.S. He assisted Senator Dan Coats (R-Ind.), became Deputy Assistant Secretary for Family and Social Policy at the U.S. Health and Human Services under President George H. Bush. Dr. Fagan is a Senior Fellow of Family and Culture at the Heritage Foundation and a Fellow at The Austin Institute in Texas. Dr. Fagan and his wife Theresa have eight children and twelve grandchildren.