Preliminary evaluations of marriage education programs have revealed some positive results for middle-class parents, but there is not yet scientific evidence on how these programs will work for more disadvantaged couples. Indeed, marriage promotion among the poor remains a contentious issue. Not only is the effectiveness of such strategies unproven, but some critics view these […]
This report discusses the findings of a national telephone survey of 1,503 Americans age 18 and older conducted late in 2003 and early in 2004 that asked questions about attitudes toward marriage, aspirations for marriage, and past experiences with marriage. Results from the survey indicate that although only 60% of the respondents were married at […]
The Community Healthy Marriage Initiative (CHMI) is a key component of the demonstration strategy of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to determine how public policies can best support healthy marriages. Two concepts underlie the CHMI strategy. One is that community coalitions can be an effective vehicle for developing a range of healthy marriage […]
This brief reviews the emerging practice known as marriage and relationship education (MRE) that is designed to promote healthy marriages and relationships between parents. It begins by explaining the goals of the Marriage-Plus approach to help more children grow up with their two biological, married parents in a healthy, stable relationship, and to help parents–whether […]
After decades of obscurity, marriage education has suddenly emerged into the national spotlight. In 2001, the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced its Healthy Marriage Initiative and since then has committed over $100 million in funds to support marriage education research and programs. It now proposes to spend […]
This report explores the decline in marriage in the United States over the past five decades, the impact on children, and President’s initiatives for encouraging marriage. It begins by reviewing evidence showing that marriage is associated with better health, higher earnings, and greater wealth among adults as well as with academic success and mental health […]
The current conference agreement of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 contains provisions reauthorizing the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Among the provisions is a program of grants to promote healthy marriage and responsible fatherhood. This publication examines the funding and its uses and requirements. The House is expected to vote on the […]
This report derives from a conference convened by the Family Violence Prevention Fund, in San Francisco, in February 2003. The conference brought together six domestic violence organizations focusing on minority populations, to explore how to improve services to battered women and their children who are involved with the child welfare system, and what can be […]
The ACF West-Central Hub Family Stabilization Workshop, held September 26 and 27, 2001, in Denver, had three primary themes: Responsible Fatherhood, Faith-based and Community Initiatives, and Marriage and Family Stabilization. This report summarizes the key findings of the workshop. (Author abstract)
Designed to inform social workers, this fact sheet summarizes the federal Healthy Marriage Initiative. It begins by providing background information on President Bush’s goal of increasing healthy marriages by focusing attention and action on strengthening marriages and preparing couples for a healthy marriage. The specific goals of the Healthy Marriage Initiative are outlined, the controversy […]