Marriage in America: A Communitarian Perspective

by Martin King Whyte (Editor), Linda J. Waite (Contribution by), William J. Doherty (Contribution by), Martha F. Erickson (Contribution by), Pepper Schwartz professor of sociology, University of Washington; author of The Normal Bar (Contribution by)

Overview

Is marriage an endangered institution in America? Does America's high divorce rate represent a danger to the lives of American children? These are some of the questions explored in this path-breaking volume of essays. The contributors to Marriage in America, inspired by the philosophy of communitarianism, consider an extensive roster of innovative policies and practices that are intended to promote a more supportive atmosphere for American marriages. A wide range of viewpoints are represented, with essays by legal scholars, social scientists, public policy advocates, family activists, and government program administrators. The range of influences affecting marriages is similarly broad, with essays critically probing the role of law and the courts, religious institutions, family therapists, employers, and government programs in either supporting or undermining the institution of marriage in America. In this volume the debate over 'family values' in America is removed from the polemics of partisan politics and replaced by thoughtful consideration of options for the future by some of America's best thinkers on family issues. Marriage in America is an essential text for all of those who care about the health of American families and children.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742507715
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	11/01/2000
Series:	Rights & Responsibilities
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	5.86(w) x 8.96(h) x 0.74(d)

About the Author

Martin King Whyte is professor of sociology and international affairs at George Washington University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 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

What People are Saying About This

David Popenoe

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

David Blankenhorn

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

Don E. Eberly

This 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

Editorial Reviews

This 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

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

...thought-provoking...

Sexual and Relationship Therapy

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

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

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

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

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