South Africa faces daily reminders of how fragile household finances can be. Rising food costs, load-shedding, and job insecurity leave many families struggling to keep up. Yet international research offers a lesson worth noting here at home: households built on stable marriages tend to weather hardship far better than others.

A recent US study tracking more than 17 000 households found that married couples consistently reported fewer struggles across food, housing, and paying bills. For example, less than 6% of married households faced food shortages, compared with nearly 20% of single-parent families. The strongest protective factor was wealth.

Married couples were more likely to own homes, save steadily, and accumulate assets that could be drawn on during tough times. Income mattered too, particularly when two earners contributed, but wealth was the real buffer.

Education and stability also played a role. People who marry are often older, more settled in their careers, and more likely to plan long-term. Marriage encourages teamwork, with partners able to specialise, share responsibilities, and commit to saving and investing together. By contrast, family breakdown drains resources through divided households and added costs.

For South African parents and young adults, the message is clear. Building strong and stable families is not only about love and companionship, it is one of the most effective ways to protect children from economic stress.

While no family is free from hardship, those with committed partnerships are better placed to plan, save, and provide security. At a time when so many households face strain, investing in family stability may be one of the most powerful tools we have to build resilience across generations.