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Marriage has become a major component of the TANF reauthorization debates, as proposals in the Senate, House, and White House have allocated significant resources to marriage promotion activities and related research. Although there is an existing body of research on marriage from fields such as psychology, demography, and child development, research on marriage policy is sparse. In September 2003, the National Poverty Center hosted a conference to synthesize what is known from existing research about marriage policies and family formation issues.This issue of the forum describes two recent…
Other
Jason DeParle, an award-winning New York Times reporter, discusses his book, American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare. University of Pennsylvania sociologist Kathy Edin and CLASP Policy Director Mark Greenberg join DeParle to discuss the findings of the book. This audio conference is moderated by Jodie Levin-Epstein. (Author abstract)
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To investigate the family support needs of Iowa citizens, the Iowa Fatherhood, Marriage and Family Supports Advisory Group conducted 25 focus groups involving over 250 adults. This resulting report discusses themes that were prevalent during these focus groups and presents the following recommendations for family support services: (1) lift up the importance of the family; (2) act before a family faces crises and is harmed; (3) improve the relationship skills of all Iowans; (4) bolster families through economic stability and employer support; (5) surround families with a comprehensive array of…
Other, Brief
Policymakers and researchers alike are debating whether marriage might be an antipoverty strategy for families with children. Some believe that if more parents married, there would be a substantial decrease in poverty. Others suggest that increasing the marriage rate among poor and near-poor parents, while not dramatically reducing poverty, would make a significant dent in the poverty rate for families with children. Still others are highly skeptical of these claims. This issue brief summarizes recent research bearing on the validity of these viewpoints. In particular, it reviews recent…
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This video follows a diverse group of expectant and new dads as they play a vital role in pregnancy, labor, and the birth of their children. The DVD is divided into five easy-to-view sections: 1. Dads are unique - why are dads essential? 2. The Pregnant Father - going to prenatal exams, healthy habits, finances, and taking time off. 3. Labor and Birth - being there, attending to mom's needs, asking questions, being with baby. 4. Emotions - postpartum blues for mom and dad, intimacy. 5. Baby care - benefits of breastfeeding, bonding, signs of illness, SIDS, Shaken Baby Syndrome, coping with…
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This transcript is from a panel discussion held on June 28, 2004, that explored government partnerships with faith-based organizations (FBOs) to support the Healthy Marriage Initiative. The panel included Richard P. Nathan, Director of The Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government and The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy; John P. Bartkowski, Professor of Sociology, Mississippi State University; Wade F. Horn, Assistant Secretary for Children and Families; W. Bradford Wilcox, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Virginia; and Theodora Ooms, Senior Policy…
