Three Cultural Trends We Must Reverse
- 15 hours ago
- 2 min read
June 24,2026
By Scott Phelps, Adapted from a live presentation with the assistance of AI.
At the Turning Point Education Summit held at the Marriott Lincolnshire, Scott Phelps shared an important message about the cultural trends shaping our nation—and why Christian educators have a critical role to play in reversing them.
Scott expressed his appreciation for Turning Point Education and its work supporting Christian schools through classical education rooted in what is good, true, and beautiful. He also recognized Hutch Hertzberg, Turning Point Education’s Chief Education Officer, and praised the conference as a meaningful gathering filled with strong speakers and shared purpose.
During his session, Scott focused on three major trends that he believes must be reversed if society is to flourish.
1. The Non-Marital Birth Rate
The first concern is the high rate of children being born outside of marriage. Scott noted that in America, 40% of children are born to unmarried mothers. He emphasized that this trend is not healthy for children, families, or the culture as a whole. Strong families are foundational to a stable society, and marriage provides the best context for raising children.
2. Declining Marriage Rates
The second trend is the continued decline in marriage. For the first time in American history, most adults are unmarried, and marriage rates are at an all-time low. Scott described this as a serious cultural concern, noting that marriage is a cornerstone of a healthy society. Strengthening and encouraging marriage, he argued, must be part of the solution.
3. Falling Fertility Rates
The third trend is declining fertility. Scott pointed out that more young people today are expressing little or no desire to have children, and fertility rates in America continue to fall. He described this as evidence of a civilization in decline and stressed the importance of helping young people see the value and beauty of family life.
A Message for Educators
Scott’s message to educators was clear:
Young people need to hear that marriage and family are good, life-giving, and worth pursuing.
Educators have an opportunity to encourage students to aspire to marriage, children, and family formation—not simply as personal goals, but as essential building blocks of a flourishing culture.
As Scott concluded, this work is not done alone. It is done in partnership with organizations like Turning Point Education and with educators who are committed to shaping the next generation with truth, purpose, and hope.
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