David Whyte knows there are three crucial relationships, or marriages, in our lives: the marriage or partnership with a significant other, the commitment we have to our work, and the vows, spoken or unspoken, we make to an inner, constantly developing self. In The Three Marriages, the bestselling author, poet, and speaker argues that it is not possible to sacrifice one relationship for the others without causing deep psychological damage. Too often, he says, we fracture our lives and split our energies foolishly, so that one or more of these marriages is sacrificed and may wither and die, in the process impoverishing them all. Whyte looks to a different way of seeing and connecting these relationships and prompts us to examine each marriage with a fierce but affectionate eye as he shows us the importance of cherishing all three equally.--From publisher description.

“After years of debate and inquiry, the key to a great marriage remained shrouded in mystery. Until now...”—Carol Dweck, author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success Eli J. Finkel's insightful and ground-breaking investigation of marriage clearly shows that the best marriages today are better than the best marriages of earlier eras. Indeed, they are the best marriages the world has ever known. He presents his findings here for the first time in this lucid, inspiring guide to modern marital bliss. The All-or-Nothing Marriage reverse engineers fulfilling marriages—from the “traditional” to the utterly nontraditional—and shows how any marriage can be better. The primary function of marriage from 1620 to 1850 was food, shelter, and protection from violence; from 1850 to 1965, the purpose revolved around love and companionship. But today, a new kind of marriage has emerged, one oriented toward self-discover, self-esteem, and personal growth. Finkel combines cutting-edge scientific research with practical advice; he considers paths to better communication and responsiveness; he offers guidance on when to recalibrate our expectations; and he even introduces a set of must-try “lovehacks.” This is a book for the newlywed to the empty nester, for those thinking about getting married or remarried, and for anyone looking for illuminating advice that will make a real difference to getting the most out of marriage today.

The Three Marriage EnigmasMost marriages all face the same underlying problem: Somewhere along the way, their intimacy was destroyed, and without it, the marriage failed, even if the couple never got divorced. As widespread as such difficulties are, the problems that sabotage intimacy are invisible, enigmas. Just about every couple faces these same enigmas. If not dealt with properly, they can lead to what I call the "downward spiral in marriage." Worse, these enigmas interact with and feed on each other, which makes them even more difficult to identify and eliminate. Rather than being in control, most couples are struggling and helpless, because they are unaware the enigmas exist, much less how to overcome them. It is the great heartache and pain that millions suffer during marriage and after divorce that has inspired me to write this book. I understand their pain from personal experience, and my heart breaks for these people.The book identifies these hidden forces as enigmas and addresses how these enigmas interact to destroy even the deepest intimacy and love couples have. Most couples level out, just to spiral down again; the cycle often repeating itself over and over. Statistics show over 72% of spouses will end up breaking their vows and cheating! Divorce is an incredibly painful experience. Many people join divorce support groups to cope with the pain they are experiencing. Some who are in the midst of this pain believe it will never end. Their lives are shattered, and most of them have no idea why.Author Kevin Foster M.Th. identifies what is happening and why. Then using the "Love Actions" outlined in this book; he shows how to permanently stop the downward spiral and restore wonderful love and intimacy forever. He then explains how to bulletproof marriages against affairs. This is the one book every engaged or married couple should read!

Just as Masters and Johnson were pioneers in the study of human sexuality, so Dr. John Gottman has revolutionized the study of marriage. As a professor of psychology at the University of Washington and the founder and director of the Seattle Marital and Family Institute, he has studied the habits of married couples in unprecedented detail over the course of many years. His findings, and his heavily attended workshops, have already turned around thousands of faltering marriages. This book is the culmination of his life's work: the seven principles that guide couples on the path toward a harmonious and long-lasting relationship. Straightforward in their approach, yet profound in their effect, these principles teach partners new and startling strategies for making their marriage work. Gottman helps couples focus on each other, on paying attention to the small day-to-day moments that, strung together, make up the heart and soul of any relationship. Being thoughtful about ordinary matters provides spouses with a solid foundation for resolving conflict when it does occur and finding strategies for living with those issues that cannot be resolved. Packed with questionnaires and exercises whose effectiveness has been proven in Dr. Gottman's workshops, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work is the definitive guide for anyone who wants their relationship to attain its highest potential. The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work is the result of Dr. John Gottman's many years of closely observing thousands of marriages. This kind of longitudinal research has never been done before. Based on his findings, he has culled seven principles essential to the success of any marriage. Maintain a love map. Foster fondness and admiration. Turn toward instead of away. Accept influence. Solve solvable conflicts. Cope with conflicts you can't resolve. Create shared meaning. Dr. Gottman's unique questionnaires and exercises will guide couples on the road to revitalizing their marriage, or making a strong one even better.

Describes what marriage should be according to the Bible, arguing that marriage is a tool to bring individuals closer to God, and provides meaningful instruction on how to have a successful marriage.

Raising children is one of life's greatest joys, but the impact of introducing a child into a marriage is staggering. Many couples don't realize the relational stress that parenting can cause. Most parents experience decreased intimacy and increased conflict. They may even find themselves asking, "Am I still in love?" When Two Become Three helps couples recognize the inevitable challenges to their relationship that occur during the childrearing years. It provides practical advice designed to help couples nurture their marital relationship in order to ensure it remains strong during this phase of life and beyond.

Connects theory to reality Exploring Marriages and Families, 2/e by Karen T. Seccombe illustrates the ways in which historical, cultural, social, and political factors influence readers' decision making in relationships. Grounded in theory and the most up-to-date research, this title takes an integrated focus on assessment helping readers gain a better understanding of the social context in which they live and the relevance of social science to their lives. MySocLab is an integral part of the Seccombe learning program. Engaging activities and assessments provide a teaching a learning system that helps students see the world through a sociological lens. With MySocLab, students can develop critical thinking skills through writing, explore real-world data through the new Social Explorer, and watch the latest entries in the Core Concept Video Series. This title is available in a variety of formats - digital and print. Pearson offers its titles on the devices students love through Pearson's MyLab products, CourseSmart, Amazon, and more. To learn more about pricing options and customization, click the Choices tab.