Social Changes and the Family

A Statement of the United Lutheran Church in America, 1922

1922: Minutes, 3rd Biennial Convention, ULCA, pp. 415-16, 422.
Family life is being dishonored by a large part of our population; fidelity in wedded life is far too lightly regarded; filial respect and obedience are slighted and lax social practices prevail. We believe that the religious-social institution of marriage should be kept as sacred and serious as possible in the estimation of the community. The wedding ceremony itself, adding as it does dignity and symbolism, is of great significance.

We believe that there should be an interval between the issuance of a license and the ceremony itself, during which period there should be a publication by the State of intentions.

We feel that the Church should do all in its power to help the State fight against all public sources of sensual appeal, including indecent forms of amusement and literature, through which the greed of money panders to sensuality. Education in matters of sex should be imparted not only by competent teachers but primarily in the family.

It is our conviction that the functions of the home are being endangered by changing economic conditions which threaten the stability of our monogamous ideals and cause women in increasing numbers to seek careers outside the home; we therefore, seriously urge our pastors and people to study these newer relationships between industry and the home.