Governments and Marriage Education Policy: Perspectives from the UK, Australia and the US [Hardcover]

This book examines the role?governments play in managing policy challenges such as religion, romance, gender relations, same-sex marriages and privacy protection in response to social changes in marriage.?Elizabeth van Acker?asks whether governments can or should intervene in this personal sphere.Introduction: Government and marriage: Strange Bedfellows? PART ONE: CHANGING PERCEPTIONS OF MARRIAGE The Problem of Marriage Tensions within Marriage: Public Institution or Private Choice? PART TWO: MARRIAGE EDUCATION IN THREE LIBERAL DEMOCRACIES The UK: Governments Supporting Children Australia: Government's Shifts in Supporting Marriage and Relationship Education The USA: Governments Promoting 'Healthy' Marriage PART THREE: CHALLENGES FOR GOVERNMENTS Individualism and the Private Sphere Managing the Public Policy Process Conclusions: Reinventing Marriage?

'...a stimulating and wide-ranging discussion of the issues surrounding government support for marriage education.' - Family and Youth Concern Bulletin

ELIZABETH VAN ACKER? is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics and Public Policy, Griffith University, Australia. She has taught in a range of areas including Australian politics and politics and the media.?In addition to?marriage and relationship education, her research interests include feminist politics, and industry policies. She?is the?co-editor of?Globalising Government Business Relations.