|
|
|
 |
What makes strong Latino marriages? When it comes to teaching about successful marriages, one size does not fit all. As the nation becomes increasingly diverse, the way marital happiness is addressed becomes more complex. In the past, marriage education tended to treat everyone the same. New research on successful Hispanic marriage indicates this approach may have flaws. Linda Skogrand, Extension family and human development specialist at Utah State University, conducted research that focuses on the strengths of Latino marriages. “One of the main things we found is that Latinos in our study are much less likely to think of the marriage as something separate from the family,” Skogrand said. “Whereas non-Latino marriage enrichment might focus on spending more time as a couple, this probably isn’t the best approach for Latino couples. The children need to be part of the process.” In Latino marriages, family affiliation is so important that “parenthood” is considered to be more important than “partnerhood,” she said. The study found that the primary goal of marriage is to have children and be part of the family that ensues. Marital happiness may not be the primary goal of marriage and may not be viewed as necessary in achieving a satisfying family life. Intergenerational connections, such as the relationship of a parent to a child, often take precedence over the marital relationship, with the children taking a higher priority than the marriage. The researcher found that children are the source of happiness and the glue that keeps Latino families together. Source: News release by Dennis Hinkamp, Utak State University, " What Makes Strong Latino Marriages?", http://extension.usu.edu/htm/news/articleID=2101, July 14, 2007.
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
