Many policymakers ask whether we can foster marital quality and stability, by encouraging people to commit to an orderly life and higher purpose. In political arenas, legislators are now asking whether “”a vow of marriage”” or a “”vow of Godliness”” can cultivatecommitment between partners and better child-rearing for parents. Academics refined theselarger philosophical and social policy questions into research interests on the benefits (and costs)of marriage and religion. We are uniquely situated to shed some light on these important questions. Over the past five years, we have been studying a newmarriage reform initiative in Louisiana — covenant marriage. (Author abstract)