Promises to Keep - Decline and Renewal of Marriage in America

Product Description This collection of essays by prominent lawyers, theologians, social scientists, policy makers, and activists examines the reasons why the once treasured institution of marriage has been steadily displaced by a culture of divorce and unwed parenthood. Promises to Keep presents the full text of The Council on Families in America's 1995 investigation, Marriage in America: A Report to the Nation, and the contributors provide suggestions for marital resurrection to counteract trends that have created tragic hardships for children, generated poverty within families, and burdened us with insupportable social costs. Sponsored by The Institute for American Values. Review An enormous contribution by an impressive set of family scholars. Promises to Keep is packed with information and should be 'must reading' for family researchers, students, religious leaders, mental health professionals and policy makers. (Howard J. Markman)A challenging set of recommendations which, if heeded, could profoundly and positively impact our culture. (Dr. David L. Ferguson)A rousing, long-overdue call for public action. (Brigitte Berger)This volume, with its emphasis on making marriage work in the social context of the 1990s, will undoubtedly move the strained public conversation over the issue of marriage to a higher plane of seriousness. (Eberly, Don)It [is a] pleasure to read these arguments made by serious and concerned scholars on a topic as central as the health of the institution of marriage. (American Journal Of Sociology)It [is a] pleasure to read these arguments made by serious and concerned scholars on a topic as central as the health of the institution of marriage..... (American Journal Of Sociology)An important contribution to a critical debate. (Choice)This book is important especially for councelors, pastors and others in leadership positions who shape ministry and policy. (The Lamplighter) About the Author David Popenoe is professor of sociology and associate dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University. Jean Bethke Elshtain is the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Professor of social and political ethics at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago and the author of numerous books on women, politics, and the family. David Blankenhorn is the president of the Institute for American Values.