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Are Cohabiting Relationships More Violent Than Marriages?
Using data from the National Survey of Families and Households (1987-88 and 1992-93) this paper studies and compares the level of domestic violence ...
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center for Research on Child Wellbeing • June 01, 2001

The Effect of Marriage on Child Poverty
This paper examines the economic outcomes of single-parent families and the growing levels of child poverty over the last several decades.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Heritage Foundation • April 15, 2002

Marriage: The Safest Place for Women and Children
Using the 1999 United States findings from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), this paper finds that mothers who are single are more likely to be victims of abuse and violent crime.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Heritage Foundation • April 01, 2002

Reducing Domestic Violence: How the Healthy Marriage Initiative Can Help
This paper addresses the concern that the Healthy Marriage Initiative would exacerbate the problem of domestic violence.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Heritage Foundation • March 30, 2004

The Necessity of Marriage
This paper addresses why marriage is important for the foundation of a healthy, stable society.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Heritage Foundation • October 20, 2003

The Impact of Family Formation Change on the Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Well-Being of the Next Generation
This paper discusses the cognitive, social and emotional benefits children receive growing up in a happily married two biological parent family.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Future of Children • Fall 2005

Marriage as a Public Issue
This paper examines the national marriage debate, arguing that the shifting role of marriage and family has been influenced by the development of fertility technologies which have separated childbearing from marriage.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Future of Children • Fall 2005

Marriage and Economic Well Being: The Economy of the Family Rises or Falls with Marriage
The study ties the continuance of marriage to improved economic circumstances including more wealth and less poverty for families, children, and society.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Family Research Council • May 2011

The Value of Family: Fiscal Benefits of Marriage and Reducing Family Breakdown in New Zealand
This report examines the private and social costs of divorce and family breakdown in New Zealand.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• NZIER, Family First New Zealand • 2008

When Two Become One: The Unique Nature and Benefits of Marriage (Third Edition)
This publication looks at marriage from a biblical perspective and discusses the changes in Canadian marriage policy.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada • 2006

Cohabitors’ Prerequisites for Marriage: Individual, Relationship, and Sociocultural Influences
This paper examines subjective relational dynamics in a cohabitation arrangement.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center for Family and Demographic Research • 2004

Union Status and Well-being among Older Adults: The Significance of Cohabitation
This paper examines the psychological well-being of older adults who are either married or cohabiting.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center for Family and Demographic Research • November 19-22, 2003

Union Type and Adult Self-Esteem
This paper demonstrates that cohabitors have significantly lower levels of self-esteem than married individuals.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center for Family and Demographic Research • 2002

Depression and the Psychological Benefits of Entering Marriage
This paper argues that people who are depressed prior to entering marriage receive larger psychological gains than those who are not depressed.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• American Sociological Association • June 2007

Effect of Family Structure on Life Satisfaction: Australian Evidence
This paper provides evidence that a committed, stable, and enduring marriage relationship greatly increases men and women's life satisfaction and happiness.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research • September 2004

The State of Our Unions 2005: The Social Health of Marriage in America
This report provides information on marriage, divorce, unmarried cohabitation, and family attitudes in America during 2005.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The National Marriage Project • July 2005

The State of Our Unions 2004: The Social Health of Marriage in America
This annual report from the National Marriage Project provides information on marriage, divorce, unmarried cohabitation and attitudes towards marriage in 2004.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The National Marriage Project • June 2004

What's Happening to Marriage?
This paper reports on long-term trends that point to the weakening of the institution of marriage.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The National Marriage Project • 1999

Sex Without Strings, Relationships without Rings: Today's Young Singles Talk About Mating and Dating
This study found that, although most young people hope and expect to enter into a lasting marriage, in reality their dating culture does not lay the foundations for this.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The National Marriage Project • 2000

Testimony of Barbara Dafoe Whitehead before the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee on Children and Families U.S. Senate
In this testimony the author answers three questions: What is marriage for? What do we know about the benefits of marriage for children and adults? How does marriage benefit society? The speaker explains the benefits of marriage for men, women and children and outlines economic, educational emotional advantages that marriage provides.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The National Marriage Project • April 28, 2004

Increasing Marriage will Dramatically Reduce Child Poverty
Using information from the Fragile Families Study, this paper seeks to explain the relationship between marriage, economic status, and the reduction of child poverty.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Heritage Foundation • May 20, 2003

Marriage and Welfare Reform: The Overwhelming Evidence that Marriage Education Works
This article looks at the effects of the 1996 welfare reform law to strengthen and increase the number of two-parent families in the United States.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Heritage Foundation • October 25, 2002

Cohabitation, Marriage and Child Wellbeing: A Cross-National Perspective
The author examines empirical data to chart the rapid rise of cohabitation across Western nations.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The National Marriage Project, Rutgers • 2008

Marital Status and Quality in Middle-Aged Women: Associations With Levels and Trajectories of Cardiovascular Risk Factors
This study compares cardiovascular risk profiles of women who are married or cohabiting and who had a high relationship satisfaction with those of women with moderate or low satisfaction and with women who are single or divorced.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• American Psychology Association • September 2003

The Psychological Benefits of Marriage
This report explores findings that show that married people tend to have a greater sense of psychological wellbeing than non married people and explores why marriage is related to lower levels of depression.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Maxim Institute • March 2007

A Profile of Clinical Depression in Canada
This paper describes the social implications of depression in Canada.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Research Data Centre Network • February 2008

Union Formation and Depression: Selection and Relationship Effects
This paper examines possible explanations for the finding that married individuals have significantly lower rates of depression than cohabiting individuals.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center for Family and Demographic Research • 2002

Marriage Decline in America
This paper reports on the declining rates of marriage in America and emphasizes the negative impact this has on children.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The National Marriage Project • May 22, 2001

Can Kids Get Smart About Marriage? A Veteran Teacher Reviews Some Leading Marriage and Relationship Education Programs
This paper, commissioned by the National Marriage Project, outlines different marriage education programs that are currently in use.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• National Marriage Project • 2000

Children and Stepfamilies: A Snapshot
This report discusses the impact that being part of a stepfamily has on children's developmental outcomes and parent relationships.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center for Law and Social Policy • November 01, 1998

When Relationships Go Wrong / When Relationships Go Right
This double paper examines the fiscal cost to taxpayers of family breakdown and then argues how policy can enable healthy family relationships that have a pro-social impact on society.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Relationships Foundation • 2008

The Family Law Review
This continuation of the Breakthrough Britain series examines family law in the interest of encouraging a high-commitment culture to marriage and family.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Centre for Social Justice • November 2008

The Relative Stability of Cohabiting and Marital Unions for Children
This paper demonstrates that, regardless of ethnicity, children in cohabiting unions experience greater instability than children born into married families.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center for Family and Demographic Research • 2004

It's All in the Past: Exploring the Repercussions of Parents' Early Conjugal and Parental Histories on the Family Life Course of their Children
This study looks at parental union status before and after the birth of a child in order to determine the likelihood of parental separation.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Human Resources and Skills Development Canada • January 01, 2002

Does Marriage Improve a Cohabiting Relationship?
This paper explores the impact of marriage on cohabiting relationships and finds that, overall, marriage is beneficial for cohabiting couples.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center for Family and Demographic Research • 2001

Marriage on Trial: Why We Must Privilege and Burden the Traditional Marriage Bond
In this speach, the author discusses the legal and social challenges to the traditional institution of marriage that have come from advocates of common-law and homosexual relationships.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Howard Center • June 12, 2003

A Defining Moment: Marriage, the Courts, and the Constitution
The issue of homosexual marriage has become very controversial in the US in recent years, and this paper argues that the government must take action to uphold the traditional definition of marriage.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Heritage Foundation • May 17, 2004

Strengthening Couples and Marriage in Low-Income Communities
This paper discusses the importance of and challenges to promoting marriage in low-income communities, with a particular focus on the situation among urban African-Americans.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Resource Center on Couples and Marriage Policy, Center for Law and Social Policy • 2002

For Richer or Poorer? Marriage as an Anti-Poverty Strategy in the United States
This paper provides a critique of policies that promote marriage as a route to economic stability for single mothers.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center for Research on Child Wellbeing • July 01, 2003

Domestic partnerships: A response to recent proposals on civic unions
This paper argues that the State should protect the unique status of marriage because of the social benefits to children and society.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Iona Institute for Religion and Society • 2007

Does Marriage Reduce Crime? A Counterfactual Approach to Within-Individual Causal Effects
This longitudinal study utilizes three data sets to estimate the causal effects of marriage on crime reduction.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• American Society of Criminology • 2006

The Effects of Marriage on Health: A Synthesis of Recent Research Evidence
This policy paper examines research on the purported positive health effects of marriage.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Mathematica Policy Research • June 19, 2007

Marriage as a Social Good: Why Get Married?
This paper argues that the institution of marriage is one of the keys to a healthy, well-functioning society because it enhances personal security, economic well-being and limits government intervention.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Howard Center for Family, Religion & Society • May 2007

Why Marriage Matters: Marriage, Lone Parenthood, Cohabitation, and Child Well-Being in the West
This paper examines the decline of marriage in the West and its consequences for children.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Howard Center for Family, Religion & Society • May 2007

Trends in Family and Household Poverty
While studies have shown single-parent homes to be a primary cause of poverty in the rest of the nation, this is not the case for California which now has one of the highest percentages of poor married families in the country.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Public Policy Institute of California • May 01, 2000

The Benefits of Marriage and Why Government Should Support It
This essay argues the state should support marriage and lays out the reasons why: improved child outcomes, improved economic and emotional outcomes for parents among them.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• American Values • 2004

How Will Welfare Reform Affect Childbearing and Family Structure Decisions?
This paper provides evidence that reforms to the welfare system have been moderately successful both in encouraging marriage and in discouraging divorce, avoidance of child support, living separately from relatives, and childbearing while unmarried or on welfare.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Institute for Research on Poverty • October 2001

Why Marriage Matters: 21 Conclusions From the Social Sciences
This paper discusses the economic, educational, psychological, health-related, and developmental benefits of marriage and the negative consequences of divorce.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Centre of the American Experiment • 2002

WHY CONGRESS SHOULD IGNORE RADICAL FEMINIST OPPOSITION TO MARRIAGE
This article provides a historical review of feminism, as well as relevant research on marriage and family, ...
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Heritage Foundation • June 16, 2003

Does Who You Marry Matter for Your Health? Influence of Patients’ and Spouses’ Personality on their Partners’ Psychological Well-Being Follow Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery?
This study explores the affect of personality characteristics of patients and spouses on each others’ mental adaptation and well-being before and after coronary artery bypass surgery.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Journal of Personality and Social Psychology • 2006

Is a Baby a Good Reason to Marry?
This article examines the reasons which lead women and men to decide not to marry the other parent of their child.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center of the American Experiment • Summer 2001

Marriage and the Public Good: Ten Principles
This online book outlines ten principles why marriage is good for society and policies that need to be adopted to make marriage more attractive.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Witherspoon Institute • June 2006

Child Issues
The "Features" section of this paper contains a compilation of articles relating to the well-being and best interests of children.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Fraser Institute • June 01, 2001

The Effects of Divorce on America
This Heritage Backgrounder provides a brief overview of the cost of divorce for children and makes recommendations on how to strengthen marriage.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Heritage Foundation • June 05, 2000

The Effects of Marriage and Maternal Education in Reducing Child Poverty
This report examines two questions: 1) Is marriage effective in reducing child poverty? and 2) What is the comparative effect of marriage and maternal education in combating child poverty? ...
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Heritage Foundation • August 02, 2002

Marriage-Plus
This paper discusses the current debate concerning the government's interest in promoting marriage as a solution to many societal problems.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center for Law and Social Policy • April 08, 2002

The Effects of Marriage on Child Poverty
This paper examines the relationship between the increased number of single-parent homes and the levels of child poverty.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Heritage Foundation • April 15, 2002

Making Marriage Matter
This lecture highlights the efforts of Frank Keating (the Governor of Oklahoma) to strengthen families and strengthen marriage in Oklahoma.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Heritage Foundation • September 27, 2000

The Price of Living Together
This paper discusses the instability of cohabiting relationships and why they should not be granted the same legal rights and protection as marriages.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Maxim Institute • Summer 2002

What Do Social Scientists Know About the Benefits of Marriage? A Review of Quantitative Methodologies
This paper describes theoretical models and statistical techniques that are used to determine and analyse the effects of marriage.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Institute for the Study of Labor • January 2004

Socio-Economic Status, Health Shocks, Life Satisfaction and Mortality: Evidence from an Increasing Mixed Proportional Hazard Model
This paper discusses the role of income, education, marriage, self-reported health status, and unobserved health shocks in determining mortality and longevity.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Institute for the Study of Labor • February 2005

How Does Marriage Affect Physical and Psychological Health? A Survey of the Longitudinal Evidence
This paper reviews existing literature pertaining to the significant health benefits associated with marriage and marriage-like relationships.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Institute for the Study of Labor • May 2005

What Is “Healthy Marriage”? Defining the Concept
This research brief discusses such characteristics of healthy marriage as marital satisfaction, communication, and commitment.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Child Trends • September 2004

The Essence of Marriage: Why It Is Only the Union of a Man and a Woman
This paper discusses the meaning and function of marriage and argues that the traditional marriage union of a man and a woman is an essential social institution.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• North Carolina Family Policy Council • November 2003

Children’s Elevated Risk of Asthma in Unmarried Families: Underlying Structural and Behavioral Mechanisms
This paper examines the correlation between parental marital status and asthma diagnoses among children.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center for Research on Child Wellbeing • 2005

Legal Services Commission Annual Report 2001/02
This paper discusses the Commission's concerns over the continuing rise in family and social welfare law costs, as well as its objectives to help families and children get quality legal services and access to justice.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• TSO (The Stationery Office) • July 10, 2003

Marital Status and Quality in Middle-Aged Women: Associations With Levels and Trajectories of Cardiovascular Risk Factors
This study compares the risk factors for cardio-vascular disease among happily married, unhappily married, single, divorced and widowed women.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• American Psychological Association • 2003

Does Remarriage Expand Perceptions of Kinship Support Among the Elderly?
This paper examines the effect of an individual's marital history and experiences on their perceptions of family support in old age.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Office of Population Research • September 2000

The Impact of Attitudes on Marriage Behaviour
This paper studies the way in which attitudes concerning such issues as gender roles, work, financial stability, and the economic and emotional implications of marriage affect the likelihood and timing of marriage in contemporary America.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• John Hopkins University • 1996

Spouses or Babies? Race, Poverty, and Pathways to Family Formation
This paper looks at racial and ethnic differences in the prevalence of non-marital childbearing as a pathway to family formation.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Population Research Center • March 1994

Marital Status Stability, Marital Transitions, and Health: A Life Course Perspective
This paper examines the effect of marital status continuity and change on an individual's physical health and well-being, and finds that these effects vary considerably according to an individual's gender and age.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Population Research Center • 2001

An Economic Perspective on Sex, Marriage and the Family in Contemporary United States
This paper suggests that marriage and the family remain economically beneficial institutions for many people, thus their demise is not likely to occur in the near future.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Population Research Center • July 2003

Family Structure and Children’s Educational Outcomes: Blended Families, Stylized Facts, and Descriptive Regressions
This paper investigates the impact of family structure on children's educational outcomes by comparing the academic performance of children in traditional and blended families.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Population Research Center • May 2000 (Revised March 2004)

Marriage: One Man, One Woman
This paper explores the definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman and offers support for the preservation of this definition ...
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Family Research Council • 2005

Debt Burden Four Years After College
This report examines the prevalence of borrowing among undergraduates, the amount borrowed, and the nature of the debt burden on these individuals later in life.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• National Center for Education Statistics • August 2000

Marital Status Continuity and Change Among Young and Midlife Adults: Longitudinal Effects on Psychological Well-Being
This report looks at the effects of divorce, separation, marriage, singleness, and widowhood on psychological health and well-being.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center for Demography and Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison • October 1996

Job Turnover, Wage Rates, and Marital Stability: How Are They Related?
This paper examines the relationship between marital instability, earnings, and job stability among young men.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Institute for the Study of Labor • January 2005

Economic Pressure in Rural Families: Couple Interactions that Reduce Risk for Emotional Distress and Marital Instability
This research aims to discover potential strategies for reducing the adverse consequences of economic hardship on marriage.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Mental Health Statistics Improvement Program • August 1995

Work-Life Balance in the New Millennium: Where are We? Where Do We Need to Go?
This report provides a “big picture” summary of research in the area of work-life balance changes in Canada between the years 1991 and 2001, and focuses on the repercussions of work-life conflict on the attitudes and outcomes of employees, employers, and society.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Canadian Policy Research Networks • October 23, 2001

The Role of Marriage in Youth Development
This paper discusses how the absence of parental marriage has a detrimental impact on youth's physical, psychological, and emotional health as well as their academic performance, rates of participation in risky behaviours, and economic well-being.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Institute for Youth Development • November 2003

Where is Government Taking the Family?
This article investigates recent marriage, parenting and same-sex legislation in New Zealand, specifically the Family Commissions Bill and the Care of Children Bill.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Maxim Institute • Spring 2003

Why Not Just Live To g e t h e r ?
By examining Swedish and Canadian data, the author looks at the effects of cohabitation on future marriage and on children.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center of the American Experiment • Summer 2001

Cohabitation: A Snapshot
This paper examines patterns of cohabitation in the United States, the characteristics of cohabiters, the quality and length of their relationships, and the relationship between cohabitation, marriage, and divorce.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center for Law and Social Policy • May 1998

Young Children’s Behavioral Problems in Married and Cohabiting Families
This paper examines child behavioural problems among children born to married and cohabiting couples.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center for Research on Child Wellbeing • September 2004

Love and Death in Germany: The Marital Biography and its Impact on Mortality
This paper examines the effects of changes in marital status as a result of marriage, divorce, or widowhood on mortality in Germany.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research • April 2002

Should Government Promote Healthy Marriages?
This brief paper discusses whether or not the government should support and fund marriage promotion programs.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Urban Institute • May 31, 2002

Thinking of Getting Married?: Same Sex Couples Win the Right to Marry in Ontario
This document summarizes: 1) the Ontario Court of Appeal decision to grant couples of the same sex the rights to marry, 2) the federal government's reaction to the court of appeal decision, and 3) the implications of that decision on homosexual marriages.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Nelligan O'Brien Payne • June 19, 2003

The Economic Effects of Parental Absence
This paper explores the impact of single-parenthood and parental absence on a family's economic resources.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Joint Center for Poverty Research • May 27, 2003

Why Marriages Last: A Discussion of the Literature
This paper discusses the existing literature on the factors that contribute to creating a lasting marriage.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Australian Institute of Family Studies • July 01, 2002

Marriage and the Economic Well-Being of Families with Children: A Review of the Literature
This paper examines the impact of marriage on the economic well-being of families with children.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• U. S. Department of Health and Human Services • July 01, 2002

Why Marriage Matters
This brief fact sheet discusses the economic benefits of marriage and the negative financial outcomes of single-parenting.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Family Research Council • May 18, 2004

Do Mothers and Fathers Matter? The Social Science Evidence on Marriage and Child Well-Being
This paper reviews social science research that demonstrates the benefit of married, heterosexual parents for child well-being.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Institute for Marriage and Public Policy • February 27, 2004

What do "I Do's" Do? Potential Benefits of Marriage for Cohabitating Couples With Children
By examining the differences in child well-being of children from married couple and cohabiting families, this paper explores the negative emotional and economic effects of cohabitation on children.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Urban Institute • May 01, 2004

The Positive Effects of Marriage: A Book of Charts
These charts highlight how the decline of marriage affects children and adults compared with the numerous benefits that marriage offers.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Heritage Foundation • April 01, 2002

Marriage and Economic Liberty
This paper examines the benefits of marriage, the harmful social costs of absentee parents, and the link between infant mortality and single-parenthood.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty • December 01, 1995

“Just Get Me to the Church…”: Assessing Policies to Promote Marriage among Fragile Families
This paper assesses the effectiveness of several strategies designed to promote marriage among unwed parents.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center for Research on Child Wellbeing • February 01, 2002

Married and Unmarried Parenthood and Economic Well-Being: A Dynamic Analysis of a Recent Cohort
This paper examines the living standards, income, and financial stability of single-parent, cohabiting, and married couple families to determine the impact of family structure on economic well-being.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• U. S. Department of Health and Human Services • July 01, 2002

Public Policy Perspectives on Marriage
This report from the United Kingdom provides a background of information, statistics, and perspectives on marriage from a Christian perspective
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• CARE U.K. • August 01, 2001

Is it Money or Marriage That Keeps People Alive?
This study examines the relative impact of marriage and income on longevity.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Warwick University Department of Economics • August 01, 2002

Perception Correction for Congress: New Study Indicates Poor Parents Want to Marry
In response to the "Fragile Families" Survey, which indicated that policies encouraging marriage were well-received among poor and unwed parents, this paper recommends that Members of Congress provide funding through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Act in order to promote marriage.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Heritage Foundation Backgrounder • October 01, 2001

How Do Marriage, Cohabitation, and Single Parenthood Affect the Material Hardships of Families with Children?
This paper examines the effect of marital status and family structure on the economic situations of families with children.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• U. S. Department of Health and Human Services • July 01, 2002

Restoring a Culture of Marriage: Good News for Policymakers From the Fragile Families Survey
This article discusses the findings of the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Survey and emphasizes the importance of promoting marriage among unmarried parents.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Heritage Foundation • June 01, 2002

The Verdict on Cohabitation vs. Marriage
This article looks at the benefits of marriage over cohabitation.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Brigham Young University • 2001

Legal Services Commission Annual Report 2001/02
This paper discusses the Community Legal Service program, which improves access to justice for those most in need, such as families and children.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• TSO (The Stationery Office) • July 22, 2002

Fragile Families and the Marriage Agenda
This paper looks at the increase in non-marital childbearing since the 1960s, and discusses whether or not recent federal marriage initiatives, such as marriage education programs, will be successful in encouraging marriage and improving child well-being.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center for Research on Child Wellbeing • December 01, 2003

Can Government Strengthen Marriage: Evidence from the Social Sciences
This paper explores how and why the government should implement public policies that support the institution of marriage and work towards the reduction of divorce and unmarried childbearing.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Institute for American Values • 2004

Changes in Family Structure and Child Well-Being: Evidence from the 2002 National Survey of America’s Families
This paper shows that children living with married parents experience less material hardship than children living in single-parent or cohabiting homes.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Urban Institute • August 15, 2003

Understanding the President’s Healthy Marriage Initiative
This paper discusses the benefits of marriage as opposed to the negative outcomes of single-parent homes and concentrates specifically on the explanation of the President's Healthy Marriage Initiative.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Heritage Foundation • March 26, 2004

Impacts of Marital Status and Parental Presence on the Material Hardship of Families with Children
This paper looks at how marriage, cohabitation, and single parenthood affect family incomes and living standards of children.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• U. S. Department of Health and Human Services • July 01, 2002

Is There an Advantage to Being Born to Married Versus Cohabiting Parents? Differences in Child Behavior
This paper demonstrates that children born to married parents have fewer behavioural problems than those born to parents in a cohabiting relationship.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Center for Research on Child Wellbeing • July 01, 2003

Should We Get Married in the Morning? A Profile of Cohabiting Couples with Children
Using data from the National Survey of America's Families, this paper explores the characteristics of cohabiting couples and the impact that this type of relationship has on child well-being.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• The Urban Institute • March 01, 2004

Cleaning Up Their Act: The Impacts of Marriage and Cohabitation on Licit and Illicit Drug Use
This paper examines the impact of marriage or cohabitation on the risk behaviours of young adults, such as binge drinking, smoking, and marijuana consumption.
• Category: Marriage > Benefits of Marriage
• Northwestern University • August 25, 2003