NYC Gazette

American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Timothy P. Carney recently published his latest book, titled "Family Unfriendly: How Our Culture Made Raising Kids Much Harder Than It Needs to Be." The book delves into the challenges of parenting in today's society and the resulting outcomes. Carney's research was supported by Jacob (Yakov) Sundel, a Straus Scholar who worked as a research intern at the American Enterprise Institute.

In a conversation with Sarah Wapner, Straus Impact Officer, Sundel shared insights into his research experience with Carney. When asked about the tasks he performed for Carney and the themes he focused on, Sundel explained, "In the summer of 2022, I researched, compiled data, and summarized academic papers for AEI Senior Fellow Mr. Timothy Carney." Sundel specifically compared fertility rates between Israel and other OECD countries during his research.

Reflecting on his findings, Sundel highlighted the unique role of religion in Israel's social framework, stating, "Ultimately, we concluded that religion embeds itself within Israel’s social framework, and even non-observant Israelis have more-religious-than-Western attitudes towards relationships and family-building." This insight shed light on the impact of Judaism on Israel's core social and family fabric.

Sundel also discussed the skills he honed during his research, mentioning, "Working at the American Enterprise Institute, one of the leading think tanks in the world, I developed a greater sense of professionalism." He emphasized the importance of timely deliverables, group research projects, and analytical skills in contributing to Carney's research.

When asked about the influence of his background as a Straus Scholar and Yeshiva University student on his research, Sundel emphasized the significance of his religious upbringing in shaping his contributions. He expressed confidence that the values and knowledge gained through his education would positively impact American society, particularly in preserving the importance of family and community.

Through their collaboration, Carney and Sundel have provided valuable insights into the complexities of family dynamics in America and Israel, shedding light on the role of religion and social factors in shaping family structures and values.