We do a disservice to society if we ignore the evidence which shows that stable families tend to be associated with better outcomes for children.

If we try to engineer outcomes if we overturn tradition to make everyone the same we ruin society. If we upset tradition to allow for an equal shot at the starting gate everyone wins except for the charlatans and would be dictators.

I've always seen the world through the eyes of a scientist. I love the predictable outcomes that science gives us the control over the world that that can render.

Studies show that children of divorced parents can have outcomes as positive as those coming from intact homes provided the father remains financially supportive and active in his children's lives.

One of the jewels in the crown of Labour's time in office was the rescue of the National Health Service. As the Commonwealth Fund the London School of Economics and the Nuffield Foundation have all shown health reforms as well as additional investment were essential to improved outcomes especially for poorer patients.

Children born to teens have less supportive and stimulating environments poorer health lower cognitive development and worse educational outcomes. Children of teen mothers are at increased risk of being in foster care and becoming teen parents themselves thereby repeating the cycle.

As Americans we don't see the role of government as guaranteeing outcomes but allowing free men and women to flourish based on their own vision their hard work and their personal responsibility.

When families are strong and stable so are children - showing higher levels of wellbeing and more positive outcomes. But when things go wrong - either through family breakdown or a damaged parental relationship - the impact on a child's later life can be devastating.

It is one of the issues that will have to be worked through however let me make the point and I think anyone would accept that if you set it up properly not only will you get better environmental outcomes you have a chance to create more wealth with the available resource.

Education has fundamentally changed my life. It's perhaps the mission of my life. I'm wed to it in a very powerful and personal way. And I chose the pathway that I believe could make me the most significant on changing the outcomes that we see now in North Carolina.