The Pennsylvania Family Coalition works to bring together organizations and individuals working to strengthen the family. We hosted the first Pennsylvania Healthy Marriage Summit in 2004. See
David M. Buss & Todd K. Shackelford. Which individuals are most susceptible to infidelity based on personality factors, context of the relationship and “relative mate value”. – National Healthy Marriage Resource Center (PDF - 34 KB) This resource walks individuals and couples through things to consider before making a decision to live together before marriage. This article explains the importance of understanding your partner’s goals, values, family history, and expectations in a relationship before making the decision to get married to the level of marital success. This article describes the Relationship Evaluation (RELATE) Survey/Questionnaire available to couples considering marriage. This survey helps couples answer important questions regarding their family history, personal characteristics, common values, communication ability, and conflict management skills. Social science research suggests that despite the popularity of cohabitation among young couples, living together before marriage is detrimental to a relationship in several ways. Findings From a Large, Random Household Survey. Journal of family psychology. Using a large random survey of 4 middle American states, the authors found that participation in premarital education was associated with higher levels of satisfaction and commitment in marriage and lower levels of conflict-and also reduced odds of divorce. the Effect of PREP Communication Skills Acquisition on Couples’ Risk of Becoming Maritally Distressed. Journal of family psychology. This longitudinal study predicted marital outcome from communication skills gained from participation in the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP; H. J. Markman, S. L. Blumberg & S. M. Stanley, 1989; Stanley et al., 2001) by 39 women and 38 men. twenty-one conclusions from the social sciences. Center of the American Experiment. This article summarizes key social sciences research findings on marriage in the areas of family, economics, physical health and longevity, mental health and emotional well-being, and crime and domestic violence. - Part of the Marriage Matters Series, this fact sheet explores the issue of exploring compatibility during courtship. (Ohio State University Extension, 2003) - A fact sheet by the Ohio State University Cooperative Extension - New York Timesby Mark Goulston, M.D.
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Twenty-Six Conclusions from the Social Sciences
full conclusions
Sixteen of the top scholars on family life have re-issued a joint report on the importance of marriage. First released in 2002, the newly revised edition highlights five new themes in marriage-related research.
Why Marriage Matters, Second Edition: 26 Conclusions from the Social Sciences was produced by a politically diverse and interdisciplinary group of leading family scholars, chaired by W. Bradford Wilcox of the University of Virginia and includes psychologist John Gottman, best selling author of books about marriage and relationships, Linda Waite, coauthor of The Case for Marriage, Norval Glenn and Steven Nock, two of the top family social scientists in the country, William Galston, a Clinton Administration domestic policy advisor, and Judith Wallerstein, author of the national bestseller The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce.
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