Marriage & Family
Articles and Readings

Compiled by: W. Huitt
Last Revised: April 2010

Return to:  | Index |

I. Course Overview

• Setting personal learning goals: from Grant McEwan College
• The SQ4R Study Method: from Chesapeake College

II.  Introduction

A. Overview

• Goode, W. (1982). The theoretical importance of the family. The Family, 1-14. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.socqrl.niu.edu/Forest/SOCI454/Goode1.pdf
• Spencer Wells (TED): A Family Tree for Humanity (2007)
  • Conference Presentation (21 minutes)
  Andrew Cherlin (Fora.tv): The Value of Marriage (2008)
  • Conference Presentation (4 minutes)
• College of Human Environmental Science, The University of Alabama. (n.d.).The Family as System: A Module on Systems Theory
• Alex Gendler (TEDEd): The History of Marriage (2014)
  • Create a Lesson (5 minutes)

B. Studying Marriage and Family/Research Methods

• Banks, M. (1995). Visual research methods. Social Research Update, 11. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.soc.surrey.ac.uk/sru/SRU11/SRU11.html
• Hantrais, L. (1996). Comparative research methods. Social Research Update, 13. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.soc.surrey.ac.uk/sru/SRU13.html
• Lucas, C. (1999). Spirit of complexity. Dynamical Psychology. Retrieved March 2010, from http://goertzel.org/dynapsyc/1999/spirit.htm
• Wolfs, F. (1996). The scientific method: Appendix E. Rochester, NY: University of Rochester. Retrieved February 2010, from http://teacher.nsrl.rochester.edu/phy_labs/AppendixE/AppendixE.html

III. Types of Families

• Coontz, S. (1999, November). The American family. Life Magazine, pp. 79, 90, 92, 94. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.stephaniecoontz.com/articles/article10.htm
• Hartley, R., & McDonald, P. (1994, April). The many faces of families: Diversity among Australian families and its implications. Family Matters, 37, 6-12. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.aifs.org.au/institute/pubs/fm1/fm37rh.html
• Kagitcibasi, C. (2002). A model of family change in cultural context. In W. Lonner, D. Dinnel, S. Hayes, & D. Sattler (Eds.), Online readings in psychology and culture (Unit 13, Chapter 1). Bellingham, Washington: Center for Cross-Cultural Research, Western Washington University. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~culture/kagitcibasi.htm
• Georgas, J. (2003). Family: Variations and changes across cultures. In W. Lonner, D. Dinnel, S. Hayes, & D. Sattler (Eds.), Online readings in psychology and culture (Unit 13, Chapter 3). Bellingham, Washington: Center for Cross-Cultural Research, Western Washington University. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~culture/georgea.htm
•  The New School (Fora.tv): The Changing American Family (2008)
  • Various presenters (85 minutes)

IV. Mate Selection and Commitment

• Buss, D. (2001). Cognitive biases and emotional wisdom in the evolution of conflict between the sexes. Current Directions in Psychological Sciences, 10, 219-253. Retrieved January 2005, from http://homepage.psy.utexas.edu/homepage/Group/BussLAB/pdffiles/CognitiveBiases.PDF
• Buss, D. (2002). Human mating strategies. Samfundsokonomen, 4, 47-58. Retrieved January 2005, from http://homepage.psy.utexas.edu/homepage/Group/BussLAB/pdffiles/Human Mating Strategies.pdf
• Geary, D., Vigil, J., & Byrd-Craven, J. (2004). Evolution of human mate choice. The Journal of Sex Research, 41(1), 27-42. Retrieved April 2010, from http://web.missouri.edu/~gearyd/MatechoicePDF.pdf
• Møller, A. (1997). Sexual selection and the biology of beauty. Copenhagen, Denmark: Mindship International. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.mindship.org/moller.htm
• Taflinger, R. (1996). Social basis of human behavior: Sex. Taking ADvantage. Retrieved February 2009, from http://www.wsu.edu/~taflinge/socsex.html

• Fisher, H. (2006). Why we love: The nature and chemistry of romantic love. New York, NY: Owl Books. TED presentation: http://blog.ted.com/2006/09/helen_fisher_on.php  

V. Sexuality and Gender Roles

• Allen, C. (2010, February 15). The new dating game: Back to the New Paleolithic age. The Weekly Standard, 15(21). Retrieved February 2010, from http://weeklystandard.com/articles/new-dating-game
• Huitt, W. (1997). Recommended books related to the growth, development, and socialization of girls and women. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/papers/womendv.html
• Martin, P. (2001, Fall). Adolescent premarital sexual activity, cohabitation, and attitudes toward marriage. Adolescence. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m2248/143_36/82535330/p1/article.jhtml
• Morin, R., & Rosenfeld, M. (1998, March 22). With more equity, more sweat. Washington Post, A1.
  • Article 1: Retrieved February 201, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/gender/gender22a.htm
  • Article 2: Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/gender/gender23a.htm
• Sass, J., & Ashford, L. (2002, February). Women of our world. Washington, DC: Population Reference Bureau. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.prb.org/pdf/WomenOfWorld2002.pdf
• Shah, A. (2009, December). Women's rights. Global Issues USIA Electronic Journal, 3(2). Retrieved February: 2010, from http://www.globalissues.org/article/166/womens-rights
• Mary Roach (TED): Ten Things You Didn't Know About Orgasm (2009)
  • Conference Presentation (17 minutes)

VI. Fertility and Parenting

A. Parenting

• Barton, P., & Coley, R. (2007). The family: America's smallest school. Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service. Retrieved November 2007, from http://www.ets.org/Media/Education_Topics/pdf/5678_PERCReport_School.pdf [Report highlights]
• Lykken, D. (1998, November). The case for parental licensure. In T. Millon, E. Simonsen, M. Birket-Smith, & R. Davis, Psychopathology: Antisocial, criminal, and violent behavior [122-143]. New York: Guilford. Retrieved February 2010, from http://cogprints.org/768/0/178.pdf
• Pitts, P. (1998). Cohesive family environment is critical, says UVic study. The Ring, University of Victoria. Retrieved February 2000, from http://communications.uvic.ca/Ring/98dec11/family.html
• Nord, C., Brimhall, D., & West, J. (1997). Fathers' involvement in their children's schools, U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. NCES 98-091. Retrieved February 2010, from http://nces.ed.gov/pubs98/98091.pdf
• Brad Paisley (CMT): Welcome to the Future (2009)
  • Professional Video (3 minutes)
• In A Perfect World...Listen To The Children
  • Professional Video (7 minutes)
• The Parent Education Collection: Preview Program (2007)
  • Professional Video (12 minutes)
• Annie E. Casey Foundation: Parent Involvement Contributes To Results
  • Professional Video (3 minutes)
• Dick & Rick Hoyt: Ironman Triathlon (2007)
  • Professional Video (7 minutes)
• Dick & Rick Hoyt [Tribute]: World's Strongest Dad
  • Music Video (6 minutes)
• Ayelot Waldman and Po Bronson (Fora.tv): The Secret Lives of Parents Revealed (2009)
  • Panel Discussion (64 minutes)
• Dean Ornish (TED): The World's Killer Diet (2006)
  • Conference Presentation (3 minutes)
• Mark Bittman (TED): What's Wrong With What We Eat (2007)
  • Conference Presentation (20 minutes)
• Ann Cooper (TED): School Lunches (2007)
  • Conference Presentation (20 minutes)
• Jamie Oliver (TED): Teach Every Child About Food (2010)
  • Conference Presentation (22 minutes)

B. Pregnancy

• McKibben, B. (1998). A special moment in history: The future of population. The Atlantic Monthly, 281(5), 55-78. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/98may/special1.htm

C. Infancy, Toddler, Childhood

• Center for the Education and Study of Diverse Populations (CESDP).(2006).  Working together: School-Family-Community partnerships, A toolkit for New Mexico school communities. Albuquerque, NM: Author. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.cesdp.nmhu.edu/toolkit/pdfs/bigintro.pdf
• Christian, L. (2006, January). Applying family systems theory to early childhood practice. Journal of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200601/ChristianBTJ.pdf
• Giles, H. (1998). Parent engagement as a school reform strategy.  New York, NY: ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education. [ED419031] Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.psycinteractive.org/files/parentinv2.html
• Gruskin, S., & Silverman, K. (Authors). Bright, V. (Illustrator). Including your child. Washington, DC: U. S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/Including/index.html
• Huffman, L., Mehlinger, S., & Kerivan, A. (2000). Risk factors for academic and behavioral problems at the beginning of school. Bethesda, MD: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (pdf format). Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.suffolk.edu/files/Psychology_PDF/riskearlyacadprob2000.pdf
• Mitchell, S., Foulger, T., & Wetzel, K. (2009, September). Ten tips for involving families through internet-based communication. Journal of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200909/Ten%20Tips%20for%20Involving%20Families.pdf
• Redding, S. (2000). Parents and learning. Brussels, Belgium: International Academy of Education. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.ibe.unesco.org/publications/EducationalPracticesSeriesPdf/prac02e.pdf
• Annenberg Media: The Whole Child: A Caregiver's Guide To The First Five Years (1998)
• Professional video(13 30-minute programs)
• Annenberg Media: Discovering Psychology--The Developing Child (1990, 2001)
  • Professional Video (27 minutes)
• John Gottman: Developing an Emotionally Healthy Child (2005)
  • Interview (8 minutes)
• Oliver Sacks (PBS): How Music Can Change the Brain (2009)
  • Professional Video Clip (1 minute)
• Lise Elliott (Fora.tv): Pink Brain, Blue Brain (2009)
  • Presentation (41 minutes)
• Eileen Hayes (VideoJug): Interviews
  • Toddlers Development (10 minutes)
  • Social Skills (10 minutes)
• Dr. Louis Pugliese (interview) (VideoJug) (Various lengths)
  • Elementary-age Learning

D. Adolescence

• Teenage brain: A work in progress. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/teenbrain.cfm
• Nunley, K. (n.d.) How the adolescent brain challenges the adult brain. Help4Teachers. Retrieved February 2010, from http://help4teachers.com/prefrontalcortex.htm
• Jonathan Reed: Lost Generation Poem (with people) (2008)
  • Personal Video (2 minutes)
• ABC Catalyst: The Teen Brain (RealMedia) (2005)
  • Professional Video (13 minutes)
• PBS: Raising Cain: New insights about boys' inner lives (2009)
  • Professional Video (about 50 minutes)
• PBS: A Girl's Life: Challenges facing girls (2009)
  • Professional Video (about 50 minutes)
Dr. Louis Pugliese (interview) (VideoJug) (Various lengths)
• Middle-schooler's Attention Span
• High-school-age Learning
• High-schooler's Attention Span

VII. Family Relationships

A. Female/Male Relationships

• Cronlund, K. (2010, January 14). For men only: Two secrets about women that can transform your relationship. Positive Psychology News Daily. Retrieved February 2010, from http://positivepsychologynews.com/news/kirsten-cronlund/201001147454
• Cronlund, K. (2010, January 14). For women only: Two secrets about men that can transform your relationship. Positive Psychology News Daily. Retrieved February 2010, from http://positivepsychologynews.com/news/kirsten-cronlund/201001147438
• Halford, W. K., Markman, H., Kline, G., & Stanley, S. (2003, July). Best practice in couple relationship education. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. Retrieved April 2006, from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3658/is_200307/ai_n9254968
• St. George, D. (2010, August 12). Couples who share religious practice tend to be happier than those who don't, study says. The Washington Post. Retrieved August 2010, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/11/AR2010081101961.html?wpisrc=nl_headline

B. Family Processes, Family Life Cycles

• Gottman, J., & DeClaire, J. (2001). The relationship cure: A 5 step guide to strengthening your marriage, family, and friendships. New York: Three Rivers Press. Amazon
• Markman, J., Stanley, S., & Blumberg, S. (2001). Fighting for your marriage: Positive steps for preventing divorce and preserving a lasting love. (rev. ed.). New York: Wiley. Amazon
• Wallerstein, J., & Blakeslee, S. (1996). The good marriage: How and why love lasts. New York: Warner Books. Amazon
• Annenberg Media: Seasons of Life (1990)
  • Professional Video (5 60-minute programs)
• Annenberg Media: Growing Old In A New Age (1993)
  • Professional video (13 60-minute videos)
• Today (NBC): Does Your Parents' Marriage Affect Yours? (2007)
  • PProfessional Video (6 minutes)
• Today (NBC): How Kids Affect Marriages (2007)
  • Professional Video (6 minutes)
• Sherri Myers (videojug): Communication in Marriage (2007)
  • Professional Video (7 minutes)
• Arlene Skolnick (Fora.tv): Rearrangement of the Family (2008)
  • Conference Presentation (4 minutes)
• John Gottman: Clips from workshop presentations (2007, 2009)
  • Explaining the Relationship Lab (2 minutes)
  • The Magic Relationship Ratio (1 minute)
  • The Mental Divorce (1 minute)
  • How Much Negativity Can Your Relationship Stand (2 minutes)
  • Constant Conflict: Is There Hope? (2 minutes)
  • The Best Predictor of Divorce (4 minutes)
  • Repairing Relationships (4 minutes)

C. Family Violence and Sexual Abuse

• Fagan, P., & Geraald, W., Sr. (1997). The child abuse crisis: The disintegration of marriage, family, and the American Community. The Heritage Foundation, Roe Backgrounder, 1115. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.heritage.org/research/family/upload/bg_1115.pdf

VIII. Marriage, Work and Economics

• Baxter, J. (2000). Families in transition: Domestic labour patterns over the lifecourse. Paper presented at the "Population, Gender and Reproductive Choice: The Motherhood Questions" workshop at the University of South Australia February 10-11. Retrieved February 2010, from http://lifecourse.anu.edu.au/publications/Discussion_papers/NLCDP004.pdf
• Boushey, H. (2002, February 14). The needs of the working poor. Viewpoint. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.epi.org/publications/entry/webfeatures_viewpoints_boushey_testimony_20020214/
• Helgesen, S. (1997). Women and the new economy. Leader to Leader, 4. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.leadertoleader.org/knowledgecenter/journal.aspx?ArticleID=144
• Huitt, W. (1998). The workplace and the transition to the information age: How it impacts and is impacted by women. Paper presented at the Third Annual Women's Studies Conference, Valdosta, Georgia, March 5-7. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/papers/wmnwork.html
• Huitt, W. (2007). Success in the Conceptual Age: Another paradigm shift. Paper delivered at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Georgia Educational Research Association, Savannah, GA, October 26. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/papers/conceptual-age.pdf
• Kerka, S. (2000). Parenting and career development (Digest #214). Columbus, OH: ERIC Clearinghouse: Adult, Career, and Vocational Education. Retrieved February 2010, from http://ericacve.org/docgen.asp?tbl=digests&ID=100
• Lewis, V., Tudball, J., & Hand, K. (2001). Family and work: The family's perspective. Family Matters, 59. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/fm2001/fm59/vl.pdf
• Ranson, G. (2000). The best of both worlds? Work, family life, and retention in engineering. Paper presented at the New Frontiers/New Traditions conference, St. John's, Newfoundland, July 6-8. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.mun.ca/cwse/Ranson,Gillian.pdf
• Russell, G., & Bowman, L. (2000). Work and family: Current thinking, research, and practice. Background paper prepared for the National Families Strategy. Macquarie Research Limited, Macquarie University. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/families/pubs/work_family/Documents/work_family.pdf

IX. Dissolution of Marriages

A. Divorce

• Smart, C. (2000, December 22). Divorce and changing family practices in post-traditional society. Family Matters, 56. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/fm2000/fm56/cs.pdf
• Wetzstein, C. (1999, December 13). Marriage will be multiple in the coming millennium. Insight on the News, 15. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m1571/46_15/58170579/p1/article.jhtml

B. Single Parent Families, Remarriages, and Blended Stepfamilies

• Bailey, S. (2001). Building strong single-parent families. Montguide. Retrieved February 2010, from http://msuextension.org/publications/HomeHealthandFamily/MT200110HR.pdf
• William Doherty (Fora.tv): Parenthood Outside Stable Relationships (2008)
  • Conference Presentation (5 minutes)

X. Marriage and Family Strengths and Needs

• Bianchi, S., & Casper, L. (2000). American families. Population Bulletin, 55(4). Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.prb.org/Source/ACFAC41.pdf
• Coolidge, C. (1999). American families: Beyond the white picket fence (A photographic documentary). Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.10families.com/
• Stanley, S., Markman, H., Jenkins, N. (2002). Marriage education and government policy: Helping couples who choose marriage achieve success. Denver: PREP, Inc. Retrieved February 2010, from http://www.healthymarriageinfo.org/docs/May08MarriageEdAndGovPolicy.pdf