Maybe 'I Do': Modern Marriage and the Pursuit of Happiness

Thousands of social science results indicate that a healthy, stable and happy marriage is an optimal relationship for the psychological, emotional and physical well being of adults and children. Functional families are one of the strongest influences on the growth of human competence, and mental and emotional well being.

At a time when marriage and family are under constant siege, Kevin Andrews' thoroughly researched book provides a timely and telling case for making the strengthening of these essential bedrocks of a healthy society a number one priority.

Kevin Andrews highlights those factors which social scientists from all over the world believe benefit or detract from marital success, and examines the ways in which individuals, communities and governments can help to create more successful marital unions.

Kevin Andrews has been a member of the Australian Parliament since 1991. He has served as an Australian Cabinet Minister, chairman of the Opposition PartiesÔÇÖ Policy Committee, and chairman of the Parliamentary Committee that produced the report, To have and to hold ÔÇô strategies to strengthen marriage and relationships. He currently serves as the Shadow Minister for Families, Housing and Human Services. He regularly writes in the media, publishes a policy magazine, and has spoken at a series of international conferences. Kevin is married to Margaret, and they have five children. Together with a group of other couples, they founded the Marriage Education Programme in 1980. The Programme has provided pre and post marriage courses for more than 20,000 people.

ÔÇ£Kevin Andrews has performed a real service with this engagingly written, data-packed analysis of how changes in marriage and family behavior are affecting children and societyÔÇÖs future. The sobering picture he paints is relieved by the authorÔÇÖs determination to show that cultural trends can and must be shifted in a more positive direction.ÔÇØ

Mary Ann Glendon is the Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard University.ÔÇÖ

ÔÇ£This is a comprehensive and thoroughly documented book on why marriage matters to adults and children. It will be the new bible for those of us in the western world who need the citations for the latest research and literature. Equally important are the practical and relevant recommendations for policy and programs that Kevin Andrews has put forth. I believe this will be the most important family book of the decade.ÔÇØ

Bill Coffin, Special Assistant for Marriage Education, Administration for Children and Families, US. Department of Health and Human Services (2002-2010)

ÔÇ£This is a reasoned and thoroughly documented call to take the future of marriage as seriously as we take the future of the economy, education, and health care. I have never seen the case made better for marriage as a public good worth preserving and promoting, and not just a personal life style. ÔÇÿMaybe I DoÔÇÖ also has a human touch, reflecting the author's many years as an educator of young couples. It's a terrific contribution from a national leader.ÔÇØ

- William J. Doherty, Ph.D., is professor of Family Social Science, University of Minnesota, and director of the Minnesota Couples on the Brink Project. .

This is not your ordinary "policy" book written by an active politician. Kevin Andrews' Maybe 'I Do' is a well crafted, cogent, and remarkably thorough analysis of the social science research on the importance of marriage to couples, their children, and society as a whole. Accurately calling the breakdown of marriage, family, and community the greatest threat to the Western world, Andrews ably identifies public policies that could strengthen families in this 21st Century. Concerned citizens, lawmakers, and scholars alike will greatly benefit from this volume.

- Allan Carlson PhD is the President, the Howard Center for Family, Religion & Society and Founder and International Secretary, The World Congress of Families.

Andrews' clarion call for rebuilding a marriage culture capable of sustaining humanity's most fundamental social institution ought to be heard - and acted upon - throughout the western world.

- George Weigel, Distinguished Senior Fellows, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington, D.C.

Kevin Andrews has produced a remarkable analysis and ÔÇ£tour de forceÔÇØ of the voluminous research itÔÇÖs necessary to understand if we are to generate a balanced appreciation of the complex and fundamental role that marriage plays in the lives of individuals, institutions and society. Whatever our views and values with respect to marriage, everyone who believes that we need, both as individuals and societies, to make wise decisions concerning it should read this book. Doing so leads to the conclusion that Andrews advocates: that we need to do much more to support and protect marriage. This is required, first, for the sake of children, who are the voiceless citizens harmed, not just in childhood but throughout their lives, by the demise of marriage. Second, in order to promote the well-being and human flourishing of many adults. And, third, if we hope to pass on to future generations shared values that will found societies in which reasonable people would want to live. Marriage is part of the essence of being human and we have obligations to hold that essence on trust for future generations.

- Margaret Somerville is the Samuel Gale Professor of Law, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.