Description
Book SynopsisThese essays, inspired by the philosophy of communitarianism, explore some of the key questions related to marriage in America. They consider a roster of innovative polices and practices that are intended to promote a supportive atmosphere for American marriages and represent a range of viewpoints.
Trade ReviewThis volume reflects the remarkably dynamic and hopeful state of thinking that is suddenly emerging on marriage. Though the analysis and recommendations vary from one contributor to another, each offers important insights on how we can satisfy what is now widely perceived as a new social expectation of profound importance, namely, how our society can help more marriages form and flourish. Marriage in America draws together many of the heavyweights in an unfolding movement to renew marriage in America. -- Don E. Eberly, Director of the Civil Society Project and Chairman of the National Fatherhood Initiative.
This book brings together distinguished leaders to answer an urgent question: How can we improve marriage in America? These essays are a valuable contribution to the national debate. -- David Blankenhorn, president of the Institute for American Values and co-chair of the Council on Civil Society
Marriage in America will be useful for those who seek to connect the reality of marriage and family to the common good and the role of public institutions to the health of marriage and family. Its emphases are overwhelmingly legal, policy-oriented, and psychological. The statisticacl evidence available from this work is another real contribution the social sciences can offer for those trying to empirically grasp the real effects of certain policies and their sometimes unintended consequences for marriage and family. * INTAMS review: Journal for the Study of Marriage & Spirituality *
...thought-provoking... * Sexual and Relationship Therapy *
A long-awaited and much needed collection of essays by some of America's top family experts. It is a major contribution to our knowledge of how to encourage marriage and minimize the social costs of divorce and should appeal to a wide range of readers. -- David Popenoe, author of Life Without Father
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction: The State of Marriage in America Part 2 Supporting Marriage as an Institution and Making Marriages Work Chapter 3 Cohabitation: A Communitarian Perspective Chapter 4 On Responsible Fathering Chapter 5 Peer Marriage Chapter 6 Building a Sound Marital House Chapter 7 The Role of Psychotherapy in Promoting or Undermining Marriages Chapter 8 The Task of Religious Institutions in Strengthening Families Chapter 9 Turning the Hearts of Parents to Children: A Mother's Meditation on the Role of the Church Chapter 10 A Comprehensive Approach to Removing Marriage Penalties Chapter 11 Making Divorce a Less Popular Response to Marital Difficulties Chapter 12 Marriage as a Precommitment Chapter 13 The Law of Marriage and Divorce: Options for Reform Chapter 14 The Misguided Movement to Revive Fault Divorce Chapter 15 Morality, Fault, and Divorce Law Part 16 Reducing the Financial Harm to Children Produced by Divorce Chapter 17 The Family is "Community": Implementing the "Children First Principle" Chapter 18 Reflection on Societal Change: How Government Strives to Guarantee Children the Support of Their Parents Chapter 19 Child Support Reform in Action: New Strategies and New Frontiers in Massachusetts Part 20 Concluding Thoughts Chapter 21 When Theory Meets Practice: Communitarian Ethics and the Family
