The Family in the Think Tank

One aspect of family policy research that is often overlooked is the role played by so-called think tanks in shaping such policy. To address this shortcoming in the literature, a survey of 42 think tanks was completed in the fall of 1989 to determine to what extent they have been, or are involved, in family policy research and advocacy. It was concluded that four think tanks in particular are actively involved in both research and advocacy related to families. They are: the Brookings Institution, the American Enterprise Institute, the Urban Institute, and the Heritage Foundation. Implications for policymakers, researchers, and family policy educators are discussed.