Helping Unwed Parents Build Strong and Healthy Marriages A Conceptual Framework For Interventions

Presents a conceptual framework for designing, implementing, and testing interventions for low-income unmarried parents interested in strengthening their relationships and possibly forming and sustaining healthy marriages. The interventions would address the needs and circumstances of these parents and provide instruction in skills that lead to strong and healthy relationships and marriage. Builds on research showing that the period around a child’s birth is a critical moment for strengthening couple bonds. Discusses three general program components: 1) services to improve couple relationships and promote healthy marriage, 2) services to improve marriageability, and 3) policy options to remove disincentives to marriage.