This special issue focuses on the increasing disconnect between parenthood and marriage and how to make marriage more child centered. It begins by discussing the three levels of decline of the child centered marriage, including the weakening link between marriage and parenthood and the growing acceptance of unwed parenthood, the shift away from children within […]
Encouraging and strengthening marriage continues to move up the US’s social policy agenda. This analysis uses nationally representative data on cohabiting couples with children from the 2002 round of the National Survey of America’s Families (NSAF) to assess the actual marriage penalties or bonuses facing these couples. In addition to examining the consequences of current […]
There has been a sharp increase over the last two generations in the proportion of American children who do not live with their own two married parents, first spurred largely by increases in divorce, and more recently by large jumps in unmarried or cohabitating childbearing. A vigorous public debate sparked by these changes in family […]
This information packet provides facts and information about national marriage initiatives. It begins by discussing the recent involvement and investment of the government in marriage promotion, statistics on the economic gains from marriage, and recommendations for federal policies. Federal legislation addressing marriage is reviewed. A list of electronic resources is then provided, as well as […]
At a conference cosponsored by Center of the American Experiment and the Institute for American Values in February 2002 in Washington, D.C., American Experiment president Mitch Pearlstein moderated a panel discussion on the future of the marriage movement. This article includes excerpts from the panelists’ presentations and their discussions with one another and with participants. […]
This information packet on national and State marriage initiatives begins by discussing the growing trend towards marriage promotion in light of substantial research that has emerged supporting the link between marriage and poverty reduction, as well as other measures of child well being. A literature review highlights findings on the benefits of marriage and the […]
This report explores the effectiveness of initiatives to promote marriage in the United States. It begins by discussing President Bush’s Health Marriage Initiative, the support of proponents, and the criticisms of opponents. Research findings on the benefits of marriage are shared, including benefits for children and for adults. The report then explores how marriage promotion […]
Many states have introduced initiatives to support healthy marriages as a way to improve the lives of children and communities. Empirical studies indicate that children from married two-parent families face fewer barriers to success than those from single parent homes. In light of these findings, some policymakers are developing initiatives aimed at strengthening marriages. States […]
This issue brief discusses State development and implementation of marriage education programs to strengthen families and improve outcomes for children. It describes the objectives of the programs and types of programs, and notes research results that indicate children raised in two-parent homes with low conflict levels have a lower risk of both academic and behavioral […]
Federal policies are encouraging states to strengthen marital relationships among low income populations as a strategy for improving child well being. Conducted to inform the design of marriage programs, this study examined the environment, setting, interventions, and client characteristics of existing services for couples. Twenty-eight visits were made to public health agencies, mental health programs, […]