Finally, it may be that parents who attend church, have been educated in parenting seminars, and understand the value of non-material things are more likely to invest time in their children's education. This consistently has been shown not only to improve that child's grades, but often improves the educational experience for all children at the school, through volunteer efforts on the behalf of parents. Therefore, it would seem that a case could be easily made for the beneficial nature of church participation to a child's education.
The final problem that will be addressed from "The Invisible Heart" is that of the degradation of traditional support structures. Dr. Folbre laments the decline of town-wide support, neighborhood interaction, support from extended family, and, more recently, the decline of support within the immediate family.
A social support structure is based primarily on shared attributes between individuals combined with reasons to have positive impacts on those other individuals in that circle. Traditional support structures were based largely on locality and geography: people were drawn into interaction and community with those nearby, due to limited travelling ability. In modern times, not only has travel capability become much greater, but people are less able to find community in a town at large, due to increased population, and are less willing to attempt to relate to those in their immediate neighborhood. The reasons for the latter are somewhat unclear, but it is an increasing trend that the average person will know or feel comfortable around fewer people in the neighborhood now than has been the case in the past. Add to that the increasing tendency for families to split due to failed marriages, and most of the traditional support structures mentioned above are less than reliable. Into this gap, an individual can place a church body. A church shares similar beliefs and ideals, as indicated in the final segment of the assumptions section, thereby fulfilling the need for a support structure to have a shared attribute. In addition, it is in everyone's best interests within such an organization to support those around, in hopes of reciprocal action if they are in need. On top of that, most religions operate on creeds based around mutual love and support, which, if people are acting based on their beliefs, should be readily available in a church.
Another key support structure is the idea of pastoral care or counseling. Many pastors, as well as associate pastors and other church officials, provide free counsel to individuals within the church body, as well as consistent visitations to elderly or ill people. This still does little in the way of long-term care solutions for the elderly, but is a helpful element, that, if increased in total volume, could potentially ease the suffering of many, and aid in wise choices for many more.