Marriage in America: A Communitarian Perspective

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.