Roberts at National Conservatism Conference: A Call to Strengthen American Families

During a speech at the National Conservatism Conference held in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, Dr. Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, voiced his concerns about the challenges facing American families. He argued that these challenges undermine what he believes to be the true source of the nation’s greatness.

Roberts, who last year caught left-leaning critics off guard with the foundation’s Project 2025, asserted that conservatives are candid about the difficulties currently faced. He emphasized the importance of connecting personal lives with political realities, suggesting that our private lives shouldn’t be sidelined when discussing public issues.

“Family decline isn’t an inevitable outcome or a law of nature,” Roberts stated emphatically.

He opened his address by drawing a comparison between the historical empires of Europe, which relied on royal bloodlines for stability, and America’s belief in the virtues of ordinary people. He referred to the foundational role of families in maintaining societal order and described them as integral to America’s political landscape and its sense of exceptionalism.

“We stake everything on the American family,” he emphasized, describing it as the essential foundation for the country’s experiments in freedom.

Despite America’s political framework appearing outwardly intact, Roberts noted concerns about the underlying constitutional principles, housed away in the National Archives.

He pointed out that the weakening of American families—evidenced by declining marriage rates, historical low birth rates, and a high number of abortions, along with rising loneliness among young people—isn’t just coincidental. It’s, he argued, the outcome of systematic efforts to dismantle fundamental societal structures.

“This campaign can be labeled in various ways—liberalism, modernity, or enlightenment—the name matters less than understanding that these crises have been in the making for centuries,” he explained.

Roberts believes that conservatives today are uniquely positioned to tackle this situation. He attributed some of these issues to the influence of radical feminists and industrialists, as well as historical figures like Margaret Sanger, who argued that children are a burden. He pointed out how educational institutions have shifted child upbringing away from families.

“Family decline isn’t an inherent condition; it’s a result of choices we make, and those choices can be altered,” he contended.

Roberts expressed that the American public is looking to leaders to revitalize the nation and that it’s their responsibility to respond to that call by echoing the actions of the country’s founders. He asserted that conservatives should invest in nurturing families and engage in their communities.

He urged conservatives to be active examples in their personal lives. This includes marrying, committing to fidelity, and welcoming children into stable and loving environments. He argued that the principles of prudence in policy-making should focus on bolstering families.

Roberts raised questions around current policies, asking whether they reinforce American families, promote the welfare of society, and nurture virtues essential for freedom.

If the answer is ‘no,’ he insisted that such proposals should be reconsidered, regardless of their alignment with previous ideologies.

He brought up the concept of prudence, maintaining that it shouldn’t be mistaken as a retreat from belief, but rather a means to apply those beliefs practically given today’s context. As he pointed out, adjustments like deregulating certain industries may help young families secure homes, while also increasing restrictions in areas detrimental to children’s welfare.

Roberts highlighted the importance of assessing whether policies support the very institutions that shape the country’s future.

The tone of Roberts’ address, echoing the broader sentiments of the National Conservatism Conference, reflects a movement that seeks to prioritize national identity and traditions to unite citizens and foster prosperity.

Elements of this movement have faced significant opposition, evidenced by protests and efforts to shut down meetings, such as a recent incident involving law enforcement at a conference in Brussels.