Insights
Insights: analysis, research, and informed commentary from Sutherland experts. For elected officials and public policy professionals.
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Right of conscience key to California and Michigan cases
Henry David Thoreau’s opposition to paying for a cause to which he conscientiously objected is widely shared. This is illustrated by recent cases in California and Michigan.
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Prayer in schools: Does federal guidance reflect Supreme Court rulings?
Updated letter from Department of Education stresses the ability of schools to limit employee prayer when they feel such prayer might be taken as an endorsement of religion.
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Helping mental health and marriage
Mental health struggles take a toll on overall health and ability to perform and function in daily life. They impact family relationships, including marriage.
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A success story: Overcoming dyslexia through home schooling
This family found great success in home-schooling a high school student using a school-like structured schedule, a program that helped with dyslexia, and a religious-based curriculum.
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Policymakers should meet families where they are
Policy approaches should empower families to pursue their own remedies to their own problems, instead of offering solutions to some families while doing little for families for whom the solutions are a bad fit.
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Case shows how government interferes with religious groups’ homeless ministry
Department of Justice has sided with Micah’s Way in its suit against the city of Santa Ana, California, for trying to shut down or limit its distribution of food and drink to homeless people.
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A parent’s guide: A spectrum of parent-driven education
Broadly speaking, parent-driven schools fall into one of five categories: home schooling, home-schooling co-op, microschooling, public partnership, and hybrid schooling.
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Religion and spirituality play helpful role in mental health
A rise in mental health challenges – particularly among youth – requires a significant investment in resources. Research shows religious practice is associated with increased emotional resilience.
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How the family affects and supports youth mental health
Research shows that healthy institutions – particularly the family institution – can influence and ameliorate mental health crises, especially those among our children and youth.