IN THIS ISSUE: Family Focus on… Come to Vancouver Marriage Be Actively Involved in the Discussion pages F1-F20 of the Hot Topics in the News “Marriage is a great he 2003 NCFR Conference will the program by assessing the current soon be here. If you are trying to state of marriage in North America, and institution,” Mae West once Tdecide whether to come to the projecting some possible scenarios for said, adding “but I’m not ready conference - we encourage you to say, marriage over the next few decades. “Yes.” NCFR conferences have always had for an institution.” John Gottman, Founder and director of themes on “hot” issues, but this year’s theme the Gottman Institute, Seattle and and conference is particularly relevant. Unlike West, many people award winning author will describe the today feel that the institution Over the last few months the topic of limitations of current marital therapy, “Marriage” has been in the news - espe- of marriage should be summarize some new findings based cially when the courts in Ontario deter- on his observational research, and out- promoted for the sake of our mined that same sex marriage is legal. The line new directions for marital therapy children and our nation. But based on empirical theory. others believe that marriage by Ingrid Arnet Connidis, Professor of itself isn’t enough: the Sociology at the Univ. of Western Ontario, London, Canada, and known relationship must also be for her work on aging and family rela- healthy and fulfilling. tionships, addresses intimate relation- ships in later life. She will explore shift- In this issue, we explore ing views about forms of and entitle- marriage promotion and ment to intimate unions as people age and form new relationships. enrichment, cross-cultural Cindy Winter, CMP, Conference Coordinator and Paul Amato, 2003 Conference Program Chair perspectives, moments of Thomas Bradbury, Professor of Clinical general feeling is that this ruling will Psychology at the Univ. of California, marital stress, and what some follow throughout all of Canada. This has Los Angeles, award winning author, and see as a move away from created much debate in both Canada and researcher on marriage development, marriage. As always, we the U.S. What better timing for the NCFR will describe how knowledge gained Conference to be involved in these discus- from longitudinal research can be used welcome your comments. sions. Look at the breadth of topics on the to prevent adverse marital outcomes, subject of marriage at the plenaries, RUPS, and help us understand how marriages Next Issue: and special sessions that are planned: change over time. New directions in marriage research will be explored. Religion Andrew Cherlin, noted Johns Hopkins Professor, author, and speaker kicks off Vancouver continued on page 2 VANCOUVER continued from page 1 Panelists Larry Kurdek, Danielle specific strengths and challenges, and at the whole issue of “overtime pay” for Julien, and Charlotte J. Patterson, reflect on probable futures for marriages workers. This plus other topics such as will review the research on long-term within these ethnic/racial communities. how workers feel about their jobs are im- gay/lesbian relationships, consider the portant. Dr. Linda Duxbury from A Special Workshop by the “Points impact these long-term relationships Carleton Univ. in Ontario is the keynote of Light Foundation” led by Christo- have on the development and well- speaker for the Work-Life Summit. Dr. pher Cihlar, and Bandana Shrestha, being of their children, and assess the Duxbury and her colleagues published a will help participants develop an impact of recent legal/political deci- report: Voices of Canadians: Seeking Work- understanding of how agencies can sions in the U.S./Canadian on the Life Balance that was released across build and maintain effective partner- debate over gay and lesbian marriages. Canada. Dr. Duxbury is analyzing the BC ships with low-income communities data, and compiling a new report for the Friday’s Plenary Panel – Ronald and how volunteering can help Summit. This will be released to the press Mincy, R.S. Oropesa, Masako Ishii- strengthen families and transform immediately following her talk. The talk Kuntz, and Phyllis J. Johnson will their neighborhoods. will establish the agenda for the day as focus on variations in marriage across Ronald Mincy, endowed chair Profes- Summit participants identify what has various racial/ethnic groups in the sor of Social Policy and Social Work, been done in BC, who are the key players, U.S. and Canada. They will describe Columbia Univ., will address “Fragile and make plans for the future in moving how family structures and processes Families: Extending American Models ahead with improved work-life policies differ between groups, delineate their of Family Formation” at the Friday and culture. Research Update for Practitioners. He All eyes have been on Vancouver will present an update on emerging as it was selected to be the Report findings for the Fragile Families study; site of the 2010 Winter Olympics describe the challenges faced by of The National Council on Come early or stay late and go up to Family Relations parents and children in these families, Whistler - site of the skiing events in and give implications for research, Mission Statement for the Report: Vancouver. Get a preview of the beauti- policy, and practice. REPORT, the quarterly newsletter of the ful sites around Vancouver and Whistler. National Council on Family Relations, strives Saturday’s Plenary session is a panel You can have the best of both worlds - to provide timely, useful information to help addressing Cohabitation and Marriage ski in Whistler in November - but it will members succeed in their roles as researchers, educators, and practitioners. Articles address in Western Countries. Panelists: Celine be very mild weather - with no snow in family field issues, programs and trends, LeBourdais, Judith A. Seltzer, Jan Vancouver that is down in the valley and including association news. Trost, will focus on non-marital protected by the ocean. President: Carol Anderson Darling cohabitation and its relationship to 2004 is the celebration of the Editor: Michael L. Benjamin marriage. Historical and contempo- 10th Anniversary of the Managing Editor: Sasha A. Smith rary trends in cohabitation in the U.S., United Nations Year of the Family Topics Feature Writer: Nancy Giguere Canada, England, and Sweden will be NCFR is inaugurating a year-long em- NCFR Report is published quarterly by described. Panelists will discuss phasis on this important activity. NCFR the National Council on Family Relations, whether cohabitation is replacing has many activities planned for the IYF. 3989 Central Ave. N.E., Suite 550, marriage or is a new step in the union Minneapolis, MN 55421, formation process leading to marriage. You won’t want to miss the special Presi- Fax: 763-781-9348, website: www.ncfr.org. dential Forum that NCFR President Stephanie Coontz Theodora Ooms Third class postage permit. , , Carol Darling has put together on Inter- and Ted Huston, will discuss diverse Report subscription rate: $20.00 per year; national Initiatives in Family Life Edu- viewpoints on the future of marriage $5.00 per copy. For bulk rates, call cation. Various countries beyond the 888-781-9331, ext. 14. Annual member- in an open-ended format to allow U.S. have developed extensive programs ship dues include Report subscription. these prominent experts to comment in family life education, passed legisla- $15.00 U.S. postage per year postpaid at on conference materials presented tion to support family life education, individual rate. earlier. Placing current trends in mar- proposed marriage/couples/parent NEWS DEADLINES: January 8 for riage in a historical context, they will education, and/or focused on issues of March issue; April 9 for June issue; July 9 consider whether marriage is resilient for September issue; October 1 for concern to families. However, there is or is declining as an institution. December issue. little information and communication One copy of any portion of this Robin Dion, Matt Stagner, Mike about the progress of these initiatives publication can be made for personal use. Fishman and Brendan Kelly will worldwide. The purpose of this forum Additional reprints of this publication discuss Federal evaluation research on will be to learn about the status of family are available by contacting NCFR Healthy Marriages. life education and family policy within headquarters at the address above. Bulk rates available. A second “hot” topic in our global community in order to facili- the news is about Work-Life Issues tate an international information exchange Copyright © 2003 National Council on and support network for countries deal- Family Relations. All rights reserved. Over the last few weeks “work” and “fam- ing with similar issues. Presenters will ily” are in the news as Congress is looking Vancouver continued on page 3 NCFR Report September 2003 2 President’s Report Honoring Our Valued Members CFR is fortunate to have com- tion including formal teaching, com- Margaret E. Arcus, University of British mitted and talented members munity education, curriculum and Columbia, during a long and productive Nthat range from students/new resource development, health care, career. Sponsored by the Education professionals to multi-year members. In military family support, counseling, and Enrichment Section, this “new” fact, many members are still active in and ministry. Those members who are award is designed to foster the tradi- NCFR long after their retirement. Their Certified Family Life Educators are tion of excellence and scholarship in continuing commitment represents the recognized on NCFR’s website under family life education by recognizing “heart and soul” of our organization. the CFLE Program. family life education scholars and Several of us joined NCFR while we were We have several awards that have been practitioners who 1) advance the field in graduate school and have continued created to honor our members.