This brief defines forgiveness and then explains the difficulties facilitators may encounter when teaching forgiveness in marriage and relationship (MRE) education classes. Strategies that can be shared with couples are listed and include: reflect on your mutual behaviors during the day and focus on actions that are life-giving and kind, spend little time reflecting on mistakes, learn to live without perfection, expect some pain in life, understand that there is little value in holding grudges, slow down the pace of making judgments, focus on your abilities, achievements, and goals as a…
Designed for marriage practitioners, this brief explains the influence of maturity on a person's ability to truly commit to a relationship for life and understand that commitment implies giving up all other partner choices. The impact of maturity on the ability to forgive, to take personal responsibility, and to communicate effectively is also discussed, and challenges facilitators of marriage and relationship education classes face in teaching maturity are addressed. Facilitators are urged to identify those who may need to work on maturity more than others, set goals with these individuals…
Designed for marriage practitioners, this brief explains the importance of trust in relationships and offers strategies for teaching the value of trust to couples. The keys to trust are explained and include investing time in each other, reliability, understanding, sacrifice, and thankfulness.
Brief
In the late 1990s, a handful of states began to fund healthy marriage and relationship (HMR) programs and initiatives intended as a promising new strategy for strengthening families and improving child well-being. The states were soon followed by the federal government, which launched a healthy marriage initiative in 2002. The following questions initially were raised about this new policy development:1. What are the reasons why government should get involved in what is surely a private matter or a matter for individuals, couples and faith-based institutions? Why should marriage and couple…
Asking your partner to attend a relationship education workshop might suggest that you think something is wrong or that you're not happy in your relationship, even if that is not the case. Marriage and relationship education is a fantastic support for couples who are looking to improve an already good relationship or couples who may be struggling with an on-going issue. This tip sheet can help you start your discussion about marriage education with your partner. (Author abstract modified)
Transitions are a part of life. These natural transitions may involve children growing up and moving away, the loss of a parent, or retirement. Individuals respond differently to mid-life transitions based on gender, background and family support. While a mild level of anxiety is common, some find the changes more difficult than others. This tip sheet provides advice for how to navigate mid-life transitions while sustaining, and potentially strengthening, your marriage. (Author abstract modified)
Culture influences marriage and it is helpful for practitioners to understand this influence in order to offer culturally relevant marriage education services. Although Asian Americans make up a relatively small portion of the U.S. population (4.4 percent, Census, 2002), they are highly represented in interracial marriages. Other common characteristics in Asian American households include high rates of marriage, and a larger portion of households are family households. Although the Asian American population is diverse, representing at least 16 different countries and multiple languages, there…
This brief offers recommendations for working with faith-based organizations to support State or local Healthy Marriage Initiatives. It explains that faith communities can offer a solid base of volunteers who are invested and passionate and who can be empowered and equipped to carry on the sustained work of healthy marriage programs. Recommendations are then discussed and include: remember to value places of faith because of the key role they play in strengthening marriages; find a representative within the organization to help you navigate its politics; engage key religious leaders as early…
Brief
There are 4.3 million Native Americans in the United States. They represent 562 different tribes and speak 292 different languages. Yet, they make up only 1.5% of the total U.S. population and are the second smallest ethnic group in the U.S. This Research Brief is designed to offer an overview of the health and socioeconomic status of Native Americans, to describe varying definitions of family across tribes, and to discuss various aspects of historical trauma and how this trauma has affected the overall well-being of most tribes and their family systems. Finally, this brief will discuss what…
One way to strengthen Hispanic families and give hope to our society is to promote healthy relationships among couples and make marriage a priority. It is very important to develop a campaign in which the male figure in Hispanic families is motivated to engage in his relationship with his wife and children. Hispanic men need to understand (and be convinced) that they are not just providers, but their involvement is vital to the education and well-being of their children's lives. The following tips were compiled by a program dedicated to serving low-income and migrant working families in…
