Marriage in America: A Communitarian Perspective (Rights & Responsibilities) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0742507718 ISBN 13: 9780742507715

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2000

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author:

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

Review:

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, 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)

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0742507718
• ISBN 13: 9780742507715
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336
• Editor: Whyte Martin King