Cohabitation - Across Nations / Philly Marriage Conference / Waistlines / Loss -

[Smartmarriages]

- COHABITATION, MARRIAGE AND CHILD WELLBEING - A CROSS-NATIONAL PERPSECTIVE
- HEALTHY MARRIAGES CONFERENCE IN PHILLY JULY 23 & 24
- TILL DEATH DO US PART
- TIM RUSSERT

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- COHABITATION, MARRIAGE AND CHILD WELLBEING - A CROSS-NATIONAL PERPSECTIVE

This invaluable and compelling report by David Popenoe, the latest from the
National Marriage project, is available as a free pdf download.
> No family change has come to the fore in modern times more dramatically, and
> with such rapidity, as heterosexual cohabitation outside of marriage.  Within
> three decades in most advanced nations the practice of non-marital
> cohabitation has shifted from being a widely eschewed and even illegal
> practice to one which, increasingly, is viewed as a normal part of the life
> course and a necessary prelude to, or even substitute for, marriage.  In
> America before 1970, for example, cohabitation was uncommon, a deviant and
> unlawful practice found only among people at the margins of our society.
> Since 1970 the number of Americans living together outside of marriage has
> increased more than 1,000 percent, with such couples now making up about ten
> percent of all couples.
> 
> What does this trend mean for the future of marriage and the wellbeing of
> children?  How should we respond to this striking social development, as
> individuals and together as a society?  In seeking information and answers to
> cohabitation questions it is useful to look abroad.

http://www.marriage.rutgers.edu

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- HEALTHY MARRIAGES CONFERENCE IN PHILLY JULY 23 & 24

Registration is now open for the Healthy Marriages, Safe Families, Strong
Communities conference to be held July 23 & 24th at the Marriot Hotel in
Conshohocken, PA (Philadelphia).   The conference is hosted by the Greater
Philadelphia Healthy Marriage Coalition, Regions II & III ACF, the African
American Healthy Marriage Initiative, Council for Relationships, Esperanza,
and the Philadelphia African American and Urban Family Coalition.  Featured
speakers include Maria Kefalas "Promises I Can Keep" and Mark Gungor "Laugh
Your Way to a Better Marriage" with workshops on healthy marriage,
fatherhood, domestic violence prevention, marriage mentoring and more!
For registration and program information go to www.PAMRC.com
<http://www.PAMRC.com>   (The Philadelphia Area Marriage Resource Center).

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- TILL DEATH DO US PART

My favorite story in today's news is on the front page of the NY Times, with
photos.  It's about Japan's national campaign to measure waistlines as part
of a national EDUCATIONAL campaign to stave off diabetes, heart disease,
etc.  It rings my bell because it fits with my belief in the power of
EDUCATING THE PUBLIC - that most of us will do what we can take care of
their health, wealth and happiness if we have accurate information. As I
read, I could feel my fantasies about a national Marriage Education campaign
welling up. Again. I also think I like it because such a campaign would
increase longevity which would delay that inevitable "till death do us part"
moment for so many couples. I guess this diagnoses me as an Education
Romantic Fanatic - an ERF.  I don't think that's on the Myers-Briggs
personality scale.  We'll have to see if we can get it added - I know I'm
not the only one.  In fact, most in this coalition or at the conference
qualify - we believe we can educate the public about how to keep love alive.
BTW, the male Japanese waistline is supposed to be 33.5 or under, the
female, 34.5 or under.  Standards in the US are a bit larger. One thing for
sure, we need to get the news out about how closely waistline measurement is
correlated with keeping our lovers alive. I think we need to make that part
of our marriage education programs.....no punching and no paunches.  To read
the Japanese article:
http://tinyurl.com/59vg5z   - diane

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- TIM RUSSERT

I wrote the above romantic wish for education that might increase longevity
this morning. It was meant to be a wishful, happy commentary. I'll leave it
as is, which seems a bit silly now, the ERF and all. But I didn't hear the
news about Tim Russert's sudden and untimely death until tonight - at age
58.  The show I watched featured Russert's physician who said Tim struggle
with his weight was a constant battle.....
He leaves a wife and son.  - diane

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12th Annual Smart Marriages® Conference, Hilton San Francisco Hotel,
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Pre-Conference Training Institutes June 30-July 2
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