The Broken Hearth: Reversing the Moral Collapse of the American Family

by William J. Bennett

Best-selling author William Bennett calls Americans to make defending and preserving the traditional nuclear family their highest priority. The nuclear family–both within and outside of the Christian community–is under siege as never before. With the dramatic increase in divorce, illegitimacy and single parenthood, our society is witnessing the voluntary breakup of the traditional family unit on a massive scale.

“The traditional family,” says Bennett, “is vital to [our] civilization’s success. If it fails, almost everything else does as well. Yet there can be no doubt that…it is indeed failing.” In this strong and vigorous, sophisticated and informed, and spiritually relevant defense of the nuclear family, Bennett presents an urgent call to reestablish the idea of marriage as an arrangement between a man and a woman, monogamous and freely chosen. Marriage, Bennett explains, should be the institution through which children are conceived and born, nurtured and raised.

Not a gloom-and-doom scenario, Bennett’s book is, in fact, a positive affirmation of family life–and a compelling argument for why a traditional understanding of the family leads to greater human flourishing and happiness.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, American, History

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

William J. "Bill" Bennett is a politician and author who served in the Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush administrations, as chief of National Endowment for the Humanities and later Secretary of Education under Reagan, and Drug Czar under Bush. He is a nationally well-known figure of political and social conservatism and authored many books on politics, ethics, and international relations.

Reviews

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had planned on reading this book quickly and dropping it off at the nearest thrift store when done but after reading this book I can't do that anymore. There were some remarkable arguments in this book about the basis of marriage and the devastating effects of divorce upon society that I need to be reminded of as marriage seems to be attacked from every side.

I loved what he wrote about marriage on the last pages. He quotes Tim Keller in his description of marriage as similar to a gem tumbler. "Marriage is sometimes no picnic. The truth is that marriage can lead to some startling revelations...married life brings to the surface our worst attributes; irritability and impatience, defensiveness and self-justification, insensitivity and manipulativeness and above all, selfishness. Marriage does not create these traits in us; it exposes them.

"The point, is not simply to learn to recognize faults. A good marriage teaches what it means to forgive, to let go of grievances, to yield when appropriate, to compromise and work together toward a common goal, to put the interest of another above your own. It is because these things do not come naturally that marriage is so good for so many of us."

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broken Hearth gets quickly and effectively to the heart of the matter: the state of marriage being the source of many social ills and instability. The author makes a great case by presenting the problem, addressing its supporters and critics, and proposing realistic solutions. He supplements this with case studies, as well as cultural and historical anecdotes to show the evolution of mores in the past fifty years.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is nice to know that some of us aren't the only ones with these opinions:)! Good book.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an older book but explains how America's broken moral compass came to pass. Dr. Bennett does an excellent job writing.

[Dottie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seemed out of touch even for the time it was written.

[Lou Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the style of writing for this author. He makes valid points about where we are as a nation. I want to read more of his books.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! None of the opinions were new to me, I agreed with everything, but it was great to hear the opinions out of the context of my religion and in the context of cold hard facts/statistics and politics. I am not really into politics so I was interested to learn about how legislation has affected the whole decline.
There is a whole section on gay marriage that made so much sense and put into words a lot of what I have thought about.
It made me appreciate so much the value that we place on marriage and family and really made me want to take action to spread that to the world.
The first section talks about the history of family life and how it hasn't always been the way we currently think of an ideal family. It's not like we are fighting for something that has always been, BUT then it shows how it has evolved TO this ideal situation and our straying away from that, once we had it, has caused so many social ills.

[Starbubbles · Rating 3 out of 5]

i'm quite tired of reading that marriage is in crisis and that marriage was more successful in the past. the question of the purpose of marriage and how its changed over the years never crossed his mind. while everyone argues that women should be equal, but due to the change in gender roles and society being more accepting of single parenthood and children outside of wedlock, marriage is now doomed. can it be reversed? should it be reversed? what if the path that we're on is the better path, and that acceptance and tolerance is what a society needs, not formalities. while i value tradition, sometimes tradition needs to be tweaked.

argument well argued after, but doesn't mean that there aren't holes in it. i picked up this book for a better understanding of family in the 19th century, but there was only basic knowledge on the subj in here

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a gift from a mutual friend of Bennett's and mine, who knew I enjoyed his books. Bennett included a note in my copy: "To Joe Massery - I hope you enjoy this. Stay in the fight. - Bill Bennett." (I liked the note better than the book!)

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book rings of truth. What a great boost for those of us who still believe in the family unit. Marriage=man+woman, Family=man+woman+children

[Kaye · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was necessary for me to read.