Evolving patterns of marriage and divorce are at the core of studying changes in family composition and living arrangements. The timing of the age at entry into first marriage often reflects the period when people enter adulthood, such as the Great Depression of the 1930s or the economic prosperity of the post-World War II era. […]
The Bush Administration has proposed to include new goals and funding in the federal welfare law for states to promote marriage among welfare recipients. The proposal is based on the assertion that the absence of marriage causes poverty and that marriage, per se, is good for children and for the country. But the proposal raises […]
This federally funded brief discusses how the rise in the popularity of cohabiting is linked to other important shifts in family patterns in the United States, and provides information on the number of cohabiting couples with children, different types of cohabitation, and research findings on cohabitation. Evidence is cited that indicates cohabiting before marriage is […]
This report explores the effects of employment-relatedoutcomes (namely, average hours worked per week and average earnings per week) on the likelihood of marriage. The key challenge in estimating the effects of various employment-related outcomes on men’s or women’s likelihood of marriage is to account for the possibility that family status may affect employment outcomes (reverse […]
This fact sheet explores unique stepfamily characteristics and stepfamily dynamics. Data is shared on the number of stepfamilies, different types of stepfamilies, and nonresidential and cohabiting stepfamilies. It is estimated that between 10 and 20% of U.S. children reside in stepfamilies, and data is reported that indicates between 1997 and 2002, the percentage of stepfamilies […]
This brief explores how stressful events affect marriages and offers tips for handling stress in a relationship. Tips include: figure out what is bothering you, stay connected to your partner, maintain intimacy, and find a balance between work and family life. 2 references.
Raising children with developmental, emotional, behavioral or medical special needs inarguably impacts a marriage. The manner in which it changes, however, is not determined by the nature or severity of the child?s disorder nor even by the number of children with disabilities in a family; the impact is determined by the manner in which the […]
The second part in a 3-part series, this brief explains effective strategies for active listening between couples. The strategies include: use body language that signals that you are listening intently to your partner; after the speaker has communicated their point, pause to reflect on what has been said and replay in your own words what […]
The third part in a 3-part series, this brief explains common communication mistakes couples make including: criticism, sarcasm and cynicism, mounting a counter attack when feeling defensive, and engaging in the silent treatment. For each communication foul, an example is provided to illustrate the offending behavior and strategies are recommended for more effective communication. A […]
Long distance relationships are more common than ever. Reasons for this include technological advancementsthat allow for communication without being face-to-face, the popularity of online dating, and a rise in work related travel and military deployment. Maintaining an intimate bond with your partner while many miles separate the two of you is a challenge. This tip […]