In a public address, Erika Kirk spoke about her late husband and how, if he were to run for president, his primary focus would be on restoring the American family. Charlie Kirk had a clear understanding of marriage’s significance—he believed it was crucial for the happiness of the country and the revival of the American Dream.
Currently, marriage laws offer minimal protection, a reality Charlie recognized well.
He often shared his thoughts, noting, “We have two wonderful children so far. We are happier than ever… No-fault divorce and radical feminism are anathema.” Just before his assassination, he remarked on a social media platform about how the sanctity of marriage had been corrupted by contemporary laws and societal norms, advocating for its restoration.
No-fault divorce has negatively affected families across the nation. In most states, these laws allow one spouse to end the marriage unilaterally, citing irreconcilable differences without the opportunity for the other spouse to contest it. This violates essential due process protections outlined in the Fourteenth Amendment.
This situation hasn’t always existed. Since the introduction of no-fault divorce laws five decades ago, countless families have been disrupted, leading to a historic decline in marriage rates—a trend that correlates with a broad range of societal issues and overall unhappiness.
Despite the evident link between no-fault divorce and social problems like school shootings and juvenile delinquency, conservatives have largely concentrated their debates on same-sex marriage, which constitutes a tiny fraction of all marriages. Meanwhile, traditional family structures continue to weaken.
Only a few conservative figures—like Vice President JD Vance and former HUD Secretary Ben Carson—have openly criticized no-fault divorce. For many in leadership, tackling divorce reform seems politically and personally challenging.
There appears to be self-interest driving some of the silence. Divorce is quite profitable for family courts and lawyers alike.
Reflecting on her own experience, Erika recounted how, two decades ago, her husband had an affair and left her. Back then, New York hadn’t adopted no-fault divorce, but after he relocated to New Jersey, they divorced under its regulations—soon after New York followed suit.
As she began writing about her experience, Erika found unexpected support from various quarters, indicating a possibility for collaboration between liberal and conservative voices to advocate for marriage reforms that could assist struggling parents. There’s a sense that many leaders aren’t publicly addressing the need for such reforms, even if they recognize it privately.
While advocating for family tax benefits is a positive step, it’s crucial to acknowledge that no amount of incentives or conservative messages will sway disillusioned youth affected by the chaotic marriages of their parents. Many feel hesitant about commitment, a sentiment I noticed when engaging with young Catholics, many of whom are children of divorced parents.
Erika, a Catholic, deeply appreciates marriage’s significance, echoing sentiments from Pope Francis about its crucial role in society. He and others have pointed out the need for strong marital relationships to combat social decay.
Historically, Catholics upheld marriage fiercely, pushing back against the introduction of no-fault divorce in New York. But now, statistics show that Catholic marriages reflect secular trends, with a drastic drop in the number of weddings over the decades and soaring annulment rates.
Reversing no-fault divorce laws presents considerable challenges and could risk Erika’s relationships with influential figures who celebrated Charlie’s legacy. But her personal story reveals that despite challenging beginnings, she has thrived educationally and financially more than many peers from broken homes.
There’s a consensus among some that Charlie’s death might signal a need for a broader spiritual revival. However, that revival hinges on revitalizing the concept of marriage and family life. The Catholic catechism affirms that marriage mirrors God’s unwavering love. If we can showcase marriage’s beauty, we could also reveal deeper truths to others.
Beverly Willett, the author and a former litigation and entertainment lawyer in New York City, advocates for divorce reform.
