© IEF 1© IEF 1

Promoting a Marriage Culture

Promoting a Marriage Culture

© 2002 International Educational FoundationIEF is responsible for the content of this presentation only

if it has not been altered from the original.

© IEF 2© IEF 2

Marriage & Family BesiegedMarriage & Family Besieged

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Rise In DivorceRise In Divorce

Up over 200% in U.S. 1960-1998Annual number of divorces per 1000 unwed females over age 15

Up 130% in China1985 – 1992

Up over 200% in U.S. 1960-1998Annual number of divorces per 1000 unwed females over age 15

Up 130% in China1985 – 1992

Sources: Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1998; Statistics Bureau, Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs

Sources: Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1998; Statistics Bureau, Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs

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Children of Divorcedor Single Parents at Risk

Children of Divorcedor Single Parents at Risk

Emotional problems

Delinquency Dropping out of

school Abuse of sex and

drugs Poverty

Emotional problems

Delinquency Dropping out of

school Abuse of sex and

drugs Poverty

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Down by 40% in U.S. since 1960

Annual number of marriages per 1000 unwed females over age 15

56% of adults are married

Down by 40% in U.S. since 1960

Annual number of marriages per 1000 unwed females over age 15

56% of adults are married

Marriage Rates DecliningMarriage Rates Declining

Source: National Center for Health statistics; US Bureau of the Census, 1998

Source: National Center for Health statistics; US Bureau of the Census, 1998

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Sweden — 50%

France — 35%

U.S. — 30%

Sweden — 50%

France — 35%

U.S. — 30%

Births Outside MarriageBirths Outside Marriage

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Rise in CohabitationRise in Cohabitation

19601960 19981998

0.5 Million Couples0.5 Million Couples

4.2 Million Couples4.2 Million Couples

11

22

33

44

55

900% increase in America900% increase in America

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Reports, Marital Status and Living Arrangement, March, 1998

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Reports, Marital Status and Living Arrangement, March, 1998

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Fear of divorce Less

commitment “Test-drive”

relationship Government

incentives

Fear of divorce Less

commitment “Test-drive”

relationship Government

incentives

Reasons for CohabitationReasons for Cohabitation

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Cohabitation Is No PanaceaCohabitation Is No Panacea

Increased conflict andpoorer communication

Source: David G. Meyers, The Pursuit of Happiness

Greater likelihood of divorce

7 times greater risk ofviolence to women

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey, US Department of Justice, 1992

Increased conflict andpoorer communication

Source: David G. Meyers, The Pursuit of Happiness

Greater likelihood of divorce

7 times greater risk ofviolence to women

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey, US Department of Justice, 1992

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Natural Family Order Facilitates Love

Natural Family Order Facilitates Love

Guides family harmony

Guides family harmony

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Positions in the FamilyPositions in the Family

WifeWife

True Love

True LoveElder

Sibling

Elder Sibling

Children & Grandchild

ren

Children & Grandchild

ren

Younger

Sibling

Younger

Sibling

Grandparents & Parents

Grandparents & Parents

Husband

Husband

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Child’s Sphere Sibling’s

Sphere Spouse’s

Sphere Parent’s

Sphere

Child’s Sphere Sibling’s

Sphere Spouse’s

Sphere Parent’s

Sphere

The Four Spheres of LoveThe Four Spheres of Love

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Parents —Primary Moral Teachers

Parents —Primary Moral Teachers

Schools can supportparents in this role

Schools can supportparents in this role

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Passes On a LegacyPasses On a Legacy

Conserves and transforms

Grandparents — Represent the Past

Parents — Represent the Present

Children — Represent the Future

Conserves and transforms

Grandparents — Represent the Past

Parents — Represent the Present

Children — Represent the Future

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Family as Royalty of LoveFamily as Royalty of Love

Father and Grandfather

— Kings Mother and

Grandmother — Queens

Child — Prince and Princess

Father and Grandfather

— Kings Mother and

Grandmother — Queens

Child — Prince and Princess

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Strong Families Have Focus Higher than Self

Strong Families Have Focus Higher than Self

Altruisticpurpose

Service tocommunity

Altruisticpurpose

Service tocommunity

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Joins two lives

Sex — Exclusiveto the spouse

Joins two lives

Sex — Exclusiveto the spouse

Families Possessio

ns Destiny Bodies

Families Possessio

ns Destiny Bodies

Uniqueness of MarriageUniqueness of Marriage

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Profound Significance of Marriage

Profound Significance of Marriage

Highest expression of yang. One

half of humani

ty.

Highest expression of yang. One

half of humani

ty.

Highest

expression of

yin.One

half of human

ity.

Highest

expression of

yin.One

half of human

ity.

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Emotional and

psychological

bonding

Emotional and

psychological

bonding

Conjugal RelationshipConjugal Relationship

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Produces physical and spiritual force to create a new being

Produces physical and spiritual force to create a new being

Conjugal RelationshipConjugal Relationship

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Continues lineage

Continues lineage

Conjugal RelationshipConjugal Relationship

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With FreedomComes Responsibility

With FreedomComes Responsibility

Conscience

Conscience

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With FreedomComes Responsibility

With FreedomComes Responsibility

Conscience

Conscience

Spouse

Spouse

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Conscience

Conscience

Child

Child

With FreedomComes Responsibility

With FreedomComes Responsibility

Spouse

Spouse

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“ Sex is most joyful and fulfilling – most emotionally safe as well as physically safe – within a loving, total and binding commitment… [as in] marriage.”

“ Sex is most joyful and fulfilling – most emotionally safe as well as physically safe – within a loving, total and binding commitment… [as in] marriage.”

Source: Thomas Lickona, American Educator, Educating for Character

Source: Thomas Lickona, American Educator, Educating for Character

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Sexual Desire & Self–ControlSexual Desire & Self–Control

Sexual DesiresSexual Desires

Normal & healthy

Normal & healthy

Sexual ActivitySexual Activity

Controlling it isnormal & healthy

Controlling it isnormal & healthy

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Physical & Instinctual

Emotional

Physical & Instinctual

Emotional

Social

Moral

Social

Moral

Physical & Instinctual

Physical & Instinctual

Human SexualityInvolves FreedomHuman SexualityInvolves Freedom

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One‘s sexual expression for spouse alone

Fulfills its function completely

Based on true love

One‘s sexual expression for spouse alone

Fulfills its function completely

Based on true love

Mutual Ownership of Physical Sexuality

Mutual Ownership of Physical Sexuality

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Reading wisdom literature

Sharing stories of virtue

Reading wisdom literature

Sharing stories of virtue

Inspirational Family GatheringInspirational Family Gathering

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Self respect Sobriety Sexual

purity

Self respect Sobriety Sexual

purity

Promote Healthy Living Among Youth

Promote Healthy Living Among Youth

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Fulfilled Couples — Source of StrengthFulfilled Couples — Source of Strength

Better parents Mentors to other

couples Pillars of the community

Better parents Mentors to other

couples Pillars of the community

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Rededication ceremonies

Mentoring young couples

Rededication ceremonies

Mentoring young couples

Strengthen MarriagesStrengthen Marriages