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 > Philosophy of Marriage
• The National Marriage Project • June 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 > Philosophy of Marriage
• The National Marriage Project • July 2005

Encouraging Marriage and Discouraging Divorce
This paper describes initiatives, both government-based and private/religious, aimed at reducing divorce and encouraging strong marriages.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• The Heritage Foundation • March 26, 2001

The State of Our Unions 2007: The Social Health of Marriage in America
This essay examines how the institution of marriage has lost some of its meaning in American family life today.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• The National Marriage Project • July 2007

Love, Marriage, and the Baby Carriage: Revisiting the Channelling Function of Family Law
This paper examines how the law has responded to changes in the traditional social sequence of love, marriage and procreation.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• SSRN Electronic Paper Collection • April 4, 2007

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 > Philosophy of Marriage
• The Future of Children • Fall 2005

Generation Gap in Values, Behaviors: As Marriage and Parenthood Drift Apart, Public Is Concerned About Social Impact
This national survey by the Pew Research Centre assesses American's attitudes and behaviours in regards to childbearing and family life.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• Pew Research Center • July 1, 2007

Two Competing Moralities: The Importance of the Choice Between Them
This paper explores two divergent moral systems which either help or hinder support for the natural family.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• The Howard Center for Family, Religion & Society • May 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 > Philosophy of Marriage
• The Howard Center for Family, Religion & Society • May 2007

Polygamy in Canada: Legal and Social Implications for Women and Children- A Collection of Policy Reports
This report provides an examination of Canada's anti-polygamy law, as well as an examination of claims that banning polygamy is an impingement on religious freedom.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• Status of Women Canada • November 2005

“His” and “Her” Marriage Expectations: Determinants and Consequences
This study looks at unwed parents' expectation that they will marry and at the effect these expectations have on the likelihood that they will actually marry.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• Center for Research on Child Wellbeing • Revised May 2004

How Have Policy Approaches to Polygamy Responded to Women's Experiences and Rights? An International, Comparative Analysis
This paper examines how women's social, economic and physical well-being is affected by polygamy and compares policies on polygamy from different countries.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• Status of Women Canada • November 2005

What’s Love Got to Do with It? Equality, Equity, Commitment and Women’s Marital Quality
This study examines marital satisfaction and concludes that women are happiest with marriages that embrace gender equity and a more traditional support for the marriage institution and social institutions that support marriage, especially when husbands share involvement in these institutions.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• The University of North Carolina Press • March 2006

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 > Philosophy of Marriage
• The National Marriage Project • April 28, 2004

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 > Philosophy of Marriage
• American Values • 2004

Expanding Recognition of Foreign Polygamous Marriages: Policy Implications for Canada
The authors of this report explore why they think foreign polygamous marriages should be recognized in Canada.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• Status of Women Canada • November 2005

Abstract
This paper is an international review of social science research on polygamy and legal trends.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• Status of Women Canada • November 2005

The Oklahoma Marriage Initiative
This policy brief outlines the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative which aims to reduce the state divorce and non-marital childbearing rates through instruction in marriage and relationship skills.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• US Department of Health and Human Services • December 2006

More than a Dating Service? State Activities Designed to Strengthen and Promote Marriage
This report describes some of the numerous and varied programs and policies that are being implemented in various states to promote marriage and two-parent families.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• Center for Law and Social Policy • October 01, 2002

Marriage and Government: Strange Bedfellows?
This paper discusses the role that government should play in promoting marriage.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• Center for Law and Social Policy • August 01, 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 > Philosophy of Marriage
• The Witherspoon Institute • June 2006

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 > Philosophy of Marriage
• The Heritage Foundation • June 05, 2000

Race And Gender Differences In Attitudes Toward Marriage Success, Divorce, And Covenant Marriage Law Reform
This paper provides the results of a survey that questioned residents of the state of Louisiana about their perceptions of divorce and the value of the covenant marriage law, which enables couples to choose a more binding form of marital union that makes divorce difficult.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• Center for Family and Demographic Research • June 2001

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 > Philosophy of Marriage
• John Hopkins University • 1996

Why Wed? Young Adults Talk About Sex, Love, and First Unions
This report looks at the results of a focus group study on attitudes towards marriage, cohabitation, and the related issues of gender roles, individual autonomy, premarital sex, and financial stabilty.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey • 1999

From This Day Forward...: A Look at the Attitudes and Behaviours Shaping the Institution of Marriage in Washington
This report presents the findings of a survey that asked residents of Washington state about their perception of the importance of marriage and family, about the health of their marriages and their confidence in marriage, and about sexual activity outside of marriage.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• Washington Family Council • November 01, 1998

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 > Philosophy of Marriage
• The National Marriage Project • 2000

On the Future of Marriage
This paper looks at the current state of marriage in North America and suggests ways to restore a marriage-based society.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• The National Marriage Project • 2001

Cohabiting Parents' Experience of Relationships and Separation
This paper studies the cohabiting relationship, why people choose to cohabit, cohabiters' views on marriage, and the legal and parenting challenges cohabiting couples face after separation.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• The Joseph Rowntree Foundation • April 01, 2000

Marriage on Trial: Why We Must Privilege and Burden the Traditional Marriage Bond
This paper 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 > Philosophy of Marriage
• Family Research Council • May 23, 2004

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 > Philosophy of Marriage
• CARE U.K. • August 01, 2001

Why Men Won't Commit: Exploring Young Men's Attitudes About Sex, Dating, and Marriage
This study of young, unmarried men found that many are reluctant to marry due to the increasing acceptability of cohabitation which has been an important contributor to this increasing trend.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• The National Marriage Project • 2002

EGALE Canada v. Attorney General of Canada
This 2001 case looks at whether the definition of marriage, which prohibits same-sex marriage, is contrary to the Charter of Rights and freedoms.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• Canadian Legal Information Institute • October 02, 2001

Slim Majority (54%) Support Same-Sex Marriage: Canadians Split on Next Steps
Shortly after the June 2003 Supreme Court ruling which declared the traditional definition of marriage to be unconstitutional, this Ipsos-Reid poll found that a slim majority of Canadians support same-sex marriages.
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• Ipsos-Reid • June 13, 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 > Philosophy of Marriage
• The Urban Institute • March 01, 2004

Close Personal Relationships between Adults: 100 Years of Marriage in Canada
This paper documents the history of marriage and the family, focusing on two key historical periods: ...
• Category: Marriage > Philosophy of Marriage
• Law Commission of Canada • March 01, 2001