A considerable amount of diversity was discovered in the views expressed in the 63 books reviewed. Religious, physical, and social considerations were the factors most heavily stressed with regard to mate choce; romantic love was not an important factor. Sex is discussed almost solely in terms of its procreative function, although some change is…

Used data from the 1980 Current Population Survey to contrast married and unmarried couples living together. Profiles social and economic characteristics of couples, as well as the joint age, racial, educational, employment, and marital-status characteristics of married and unmarried partners. (Author/JAC)

The case study analyzes the family situation in which parents of an institutionalized severely brain damaged son cannot agree over the child's return for the summer. The two daughters and the parents were helped to discuss the situation and improve their communication. (CL)

Content analysis of three newspaper advice columns (Ann Landers, Abigail Van Buren, Joyce Brothers) shows that they refute myths about mental health and marriage more often than they support them. (FL)

Evaluated the effect of previous marital history, particularly the husband's marriage order, on the stability of first and second marriages of White and Black women. The most important predictor of the instability of first marriages of women are the previous divorces of husbands. (Author)

Investigated the effect of spousal power distribution on marital quality among Black couples. Demonstrated that the husband-led power pattern was associated with the highest levels of marital quality and that egalitarian and wife-led couples reported similar, lower levels of marital quality. (Author/RC)

Demonstrates how the "Old Feminist" movement, originating in broad humanitarian concerns that affirmed woman's selfhood, eventually was transformed into the essentially different "Woman Suffrage" movement. Analyzes a key episode, the 1860 divorce debate. (PD)

Explores the usefulness of "marital alternatives" as a dimension in explaining marital stability, using longitudinal data from a panel of married, White, urban couples from 16 urban areas. Results indicated the dimension of marital alternatives appeared to be a better predictor of marital disruption than marital satisfaction. (Author/RC)

Personality and background questionnaires were administered to newly married couples and followed up. Findings indicate correlational similarity and mean differentiation between partners was higher in still-married group than in divorced group. Variation in marital outcome was more accurately predicted from personality than demographic variables,…

Assesses the effect of exposure to different family structures (single parent families, reconstituted families, intact families) on the marital socialization of 127 males and 194 female adolescents. (Author/CM)

The importance of marriage timing for educational attainment is examined for a national sample of young men and women. Schooling obtained prior to marrying is distinguished from that afterward. Concludes that marrying early is detrimental to the educational attainments of women but of little or no consequence for men. (Author/DB)

Questionnaire and interview data from men and women (N=138) divorced in their middle years found a frequent lack of communication rather than conflict existed and little time spent together in pleasurable activities. The marriage was not examined until a crisis occurred during the middle years. (Author/RC)

The Minnesota Couple Communication Program had a positive effect on the couple's use of open-style communication and on perceived quality of the couple's relationship immediately after training. Only the positive changes in perceived quality of relationship persisted at the follow-up. (Author)

Adolescents feel that bearing children is the responsibility of the couple and increasing numbers are deciding not to become parents. A majority feel that legalized marriage and the nuclear family is the most important setting for rearing children. Ambivalence of changing options in life plans results in uncertainty about childbearing. (Author)

Identified and described the nature of those personality characteristics that enable couples to develop and sustain a vital relationship. Findings indicate that vital marital partners possess personality needs that promote: (1) sexual expressiveness; (2) "otherness" rather than selfness; (3) determination; and (4) high ego strength. (Author)