The idea of family impact statements came from participants in the 1973 Senate subcommittee hearings who recognized that government policies, or the lack of them, affect families in unintended and often harmful ways. Both the structure and the quality of family life are powerfully influenced by inflation, unemployment, health care, housing, and income security—all areas in which government makes policy without specifically considering its impact on families. The goal of an impact analysis would be to identify, document, and make public the effects of federal policies on families. The process of preparing and publicizing the statements would at best encourage legislation and programs that enhance family life. At the least, family values would be balanced against other goals as, for example, environmental impact analysis often balances environmental values against economic growth.