General Information
“To encourage marriage and promote
the well-being of children, I have proposed a healthy marriage
initiative to help couples develop the skills and knowledge
to form and sustain healthy marriages. Research has shown
that, on average, children raised in households headed by
married parents fare better than children who grow up in other
family structures. Through education and counseling programs,
faith-based, community, and government organizations promote
healthy marriages and a better quality of life for children.
By supporting responsible child-rearing and strong families,
my Administration is seeking to ensure that every child can
grow up in a safe and loving home.”
— President George W. Bush
Background
In 1996 Congress made the following findings [1]:
Marriage is the foundation of a successful society.
Marriage is an essential institution of a successful society
which promotes the interests of children.
In order to encourage States to strengthen marriages,
The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 provides funding of $150
million each year for healthy marriage promotion and fatherhood.
Key requirements of the law specify that:
Funds may be used for competitive research and demonstration
projects to test promising approaches to encourage healthy
marriages and promote involved, committed, and responsible
fatherhood by public and private entities and also for providing
technical assistance to States and Tribes.
- Applicants for funds must commit to consult with experts
in domestic violence; applications must describe how programs
will address issues of domestic violence and ensure that
participation is voluntary.
- Healthy marriage promotion awards must be used for eight
specified activities, including marriage education, marriage
skills training, public advertising campaigns, high school
education on the value of marriage and marriage mentoring
programs.
- Not more than $50 million each year may be used for activities
promoting fatherhood, such as counseling, mentoring, marriage
education, enhancing relationship skills, parenting, and
activities to foster economic stability.
Mission Statement
To help couples, who have chosen marriage for themselves,
gain greater access to marriage education services, on a voluntary
basis, where they can acquire the skills and knowledge necessary
to form and sustain a healthy marriage.
What is a “healthy marriage?"
There
are at least two characteristics that all healthy marriages
have in common. First, they are mutually enriching, and second,
both spouses have a deep respect for each other.
It is a mutually satisfying relationship that is beneficial
to the husband, wife and children (if present).
It is a relationship that is committed to ongoing growth,
the use of effective communication skills and the use of successful
conflict management skills.
- Increase the percentage of children who are raised by
two parents in a healthy marriage.
- Increase the percentage of married couples who are in
healthy marriages.
- Increase the percentage of premarital couples who are
equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to form
and sustain a healthy marriage.
- Increase the percentage of youth and young adults who
have the skills and knowledge to make informed decisions
about healthy relationships including skills that can help
them eventually form and sustain a healthy marriage.
- Increase public awareness about the value of healthy
marriages and the skills and knowledge that can help couples
form and sustain healthy marriages.
- Encourage and support research on healthy marriages and
healthy marriage education.
- Increase the percentage of women, men and children in
homes that are free of domestic violence.
Allowable
Activities
- Public advertising campaigns on the value of healthy marriages
and the skills needed to increase marital stability and
the health of the marriage.
- Education in high schools on the value of healthy marriages,
healthy relationship skills, and budgeting.
- Marriage education, marriage skills, and relationship
skills programs, that may include parenting skills, financial
management, conflict resolution, and job and career advancement,
for expectant couples, both married and unmarried, as well
as recent parents, both married and unmarried.
- Pre-marital education and marriage skills training for
engaged couples and for couples or individuals interested
in marriage.
- Marriage enhancement and marriage skills training programs
for married couples.
- Divorce reduction programs that teach healthy relationship
skills.
- Marriage mentoring programs which use married couples
as role models and mentors in at-risk communities.
- Programs to reduce the disincentives to marriage in means-tested
aid programs, if offered in conjunction with any activity
described above.
- Conduct research on the benefits of healthy marriages
and healthy marriage education.
- Provide technical assistance to grantees who are implementing
any of the above activities to help them succeed.
top of the page
The ACF Healthy Marriage
Initiative is Not About:
- Coercing anyone to marry or remain in unhealthy relationships.
- Withdrawing supports from single parents, or diminishing,
either directly or indirectly, the important work of single
parents.
- Stigmatizing those who choose divorce.
- Limiting access to divorce.
- Promoting the initiative as a panacea for achieving positive
outcomes for child and family well-being.
- Running a federal dating service.
- An immediate solution to lifting all families out of poverty.
Benefits
of Healthy Marriages
For Children and Youth
Researchers have found many benefits for children and youth
who are raised by parents in healthy marriages, compared to
unhealthy marriages, including the following:
- More likely to attend college
- More likely to succeed academically
- Physically healthier
- Emotionally healthier
- Less likely to attempt or commit suicide
- Demonstrate less behavioral problems in school
- Less likely to be a victim of physical or sexual abuse
- Less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol
- Less likely to commit delinquent behaviors
- Have a better relationship with their mothers and fathers
- Decreases their chances of divorcing when they get married
- Less likely to become pregnant as a teenager, or impregnate
someone.
- Less likely to be sexually active as teenagers
- Less likely to contract STD's
- Less likely to be raised in poverty
For Women
Researchers have found many benefits for women who are in
healthy marriages, compared to unhealthy marriages, including
the following:
- More satisfying relationship
- Emotionally healthier
- Wealthier
- Less likely to be victims of domestic violence, sexual
assault, or other violent crimes
- Less likely to attempt or commit suicide
- Decrease risk of drug and alcohol abuse
- Less likely to contract STD's
- Less likely to remain or end up in poverty
- Have better relationships with their children
- Physically healthier
For Men
Researchers have found many benefits for men who are in healthy
marriages, compared to unhealthy marriages, including the
following:
- Live longer
- Physically healthier
- Wealthier
- Increase in the stability of employment
- Higher wages
- Emotionally healthier
- Decrease risk of drug and alcohol abuse
- Have better relationships with their children
- More satisfying sexual relationship
- Less likely to commit violent crimes
- Less likely to contract STD's
- Less likely to attempt or commit suicide
For Communities
Researchers have found many benefits for communities when
they have a higher percentage of couples in healthy marriages,
compared to unhealthy marriages, including the following:
- Higher rates of physically healthy citizens
- Higher rates of emotionally healthy citizens
- Higher rates of educated citizens
- Lower domestic violence rates
- Lower crime statistics
- Lower teen age pregnancy rates
- Lower rates of juvenile delinquency
- Higher rates of home ownership
- Lower rates of migration
- Higher property values
- Decreased need for social services
[]
top of the page |
|
Print
