The marriage problem
Subtitle: how our culture has weakened families
By: James Q. Wilson.
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2002
Place of publication: New York, NY
Number of pages: 274
ISBN-13: 9780066209838
Subjects: Marriage -- United States.; Families -- United States.; Matrimonio -- Estados Unidos.; Familia -- Estados Unidos.; United States -- Social conditions -- 1980-; Estados Unidos -- Conidiciones sociales -- 1980-
Description: Marriage, the emotional core and social foundation of our culture, is under attack. Profound changes in our values have eroded family life to a degree that degrades the very integrity of our society. This devastation takes many forms, says the renowned scholar, James Q. Wilson: the proliferation of cohabitation instead of formal marriage, the steep increase in single and teenage parents, and the rising divorce rate. Behind these diverse forces, Wilson draws on meticulous research to identify two underlying causes of this destruction: the rise of individualism and the consequences of slavery. Unafraid to contradict conventional wisdom, Wilson provides ample evidence that marriage benefits all parties, husbands, wives and, especially, children. An important and persuasive book, The Marriage Problem is a clarion call to rebuild the family, and society, by having a solid marital structure at its core.
Table of contents: title: 1. Two nations; title: 2. Why do families exist?; title: 3. Sex and the marriage market; title: 4. The rise of the modern marriage; title: 5. African Americans and slavery; title: 6. Mother-only families; title: 7. Divorce; title: 8. Working mothers; title: 9. The cultural challenge.