The tenets of traditional sex therapy based on dysfunction and pathology are critiqued, and a feminist model proposed. Recognizing that equity and power issues, particularly in heterosexual relationships, are basic issues, women and issues of gender are at the center of the model. Three cases illustrate the model. (Author/EMK)

Counselors working in the areas of marriage and family counseling and therapy are expected to work effectively with couples and families experiencing a variety of issues and problems. Structural, strategic, and transgenerational family therapists may seem to be operating in similar manners, and it appears that many practicing family therapists go…

This is a model for any relationship and for marriage counseling in particular. The premise is that a well-developed agreement between the two partners is necessary for marital success, and that disharmony in marriage is a sign of an unclear or unworkable contract. (Author)

The structure of the "American family" has undergone dramatic change in recent times. This study examined the differential relationship between perceived mate availability and aggregate assessments of sex-ratio in broadly distinctive socio-cultural groupings to determine whether the primary theoretical conceptualizations concerning the…

This document consists of part two of a book of readings that examine issues affecting men in the late 20th century. It was written for counselors at all educational levels, social workers, community therapists, private practitioners, clinicians, teachers, hospital workers, and Employee Assistance Program workers. Five chapters are included in…

The study of marital strengths in enduring marriages is conceptually in its formative stage. Further exploratory research may help to focus more clearly on key concepts and their interrelationships. A study was conducted of 15 couples who had been married for between 35 and 48 years. The husbands' ages ranged from 55 to 70 and the wives' ages…

A sample of 394 married couples is employed to test the possibility of an association between marital satisfaction and personal (attitudinal) anomie. The hypothesis is supported. Conclusions are offered relevant to anomie theory, and to utilization of marital and family phenomena as independent variables in causal explanations of nonfamily events.…

A selection of 28 quotations on love and marriage are presented. The quotes were collected from various writings and may be used as discussion topics on the subject of love and marriage. (EC)

The technique called "two-marriage therapy" (conjoint cotherapy by married cotherapy teams) has been developed to help couples in marital crises to confront the elusive nature of marriage. This paper attempts to show how the presence of a married cotherapy team adds a significant salutary perspective on the marriage in conflict. (Author)

This study represented a continuing effort to assess the effects of a marriage enrichment program previously used by Kilmann, Moreault, and Robinson. The experimental couples reported a significant increase in marital adjustment and a significantly greater actualized relationship. The experimental couples were rated as exhibiting significantly…

This paper explores some social, situational, and personal factors associated with remarriage in old age, and focuses on role changes associated with remarriage. The findings were obtained through in-depth interviews with 24 remarried elderly couples. Remarriage is seen as a viable option in old age, deserving attention and encouragement. (Author)

Attempted to identify predictors of positive treatment outcome following behavioral marital therapy. The only variable that significantly predicted outcome at both posttest and follow-up was a measure reflecting traditional affiliation/independence patterns: couples with a highly affiliative wife and a highly independent husband were less likely…

Describes common characteristics of 13 cases in which one marital partner initiated therapy because the other partner was undecided about continuing their marriage. Initiating clients wanted their marriages to continue even if they were unrewarding and saw themselves as helpless victims. Clients who could turn their attention from the ambivalent…

Suggests an integrated systemic-psychodynamic approach to the treatment of characterological disorders within conjoint marital therapy. Draws from object relations and systemic therapies in developing a treatment approach to marriages which include at least one borderline personality disorder spouse. A case example illustrates the…

Describes the history and development of the residential marriage and family therapy training program at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, Kansas. Discusses the initial approval and focus, financial support, staff, students, and the conflict between counseling and traditional psychiatric therapy. (JAC)