Fatherhood Channel

Proposed divorce reform legislation challenges the field of marriage education to be sure programs make a lasting, positive difference for couples on the brink of divorce.

Hilda “Lynn” Saltzman died Wednesday at the age of 82. Her granddaughter reflects on the lasting legacy of a life devoted to family.

The ability to imagine, create, and inspire requires individuals who are balanced, have high self-esteem, able to problem solve, work independently and within teams, and utilize their unique strengths to find purpose in their careers, says guest columnist Dr. Wendy Hirsh Weiner, founder of the Conservatory Prep Senior High School in Davie, Florida.

As the annual SmartMarriages conference begins in Orlando, a Psychology Today article takes aim at proponents of marriage education for focusing on selling classes instead of research. Ensuring marriage education programs have a proven track record of positive impact is vital to gaining trust and broader acceptance from the public and professionals.

Two years after the death of 26-year-old Nicole Ganguzza, a UCF graduate student and PAIRS instructor, her memory reminds us to fully live, love and treasure life and each other.

President Obama this week urged the Class of 2010 to persevere, take responsibility, deepen empathy, and give back. He encouraged young people to build skills, not make excuses, learn what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes, and give back, values that are the foundation for strong families, organizations, and communities.

Lance Orton, a Times Square T-Shirt Vendor and Vietnam veteran, helped save lives by alerting police to smoke fuming from the back of an S.U.V. Saturday. From Times Square to classrooms and neighborhoods across the globe, the role of bystanders has become increasingly important.

Amidst stories of Larry King’s pending eighth divorce, should the King of Talk’s marriage license be revoked? “How many marriages are too many,” Belinda Luscombe asks? A co-worker suggests a weekend marriage education class. Now that would be something to talk about.

As he celebrated his eighth birthday in a Moscow hospital this week, little Artyom Savelyev’s experiences continued to betray the hope of his Russian name, to be “safe and sound.” Artyom’s story and many others demonstrate the importance of improving post-adoption services through skills that enhance communication, emotional understanding, promote forgiveness, bonding, attachment, and healthy conflict resolution.

A study by the nonprofit PAIRS Foundation found statistically significant, lasting improvements in marital satisfaction for men and women who completed a nine-hour relationship skills training program. The organization says that expanding relationship skills training in communities nationwide offers the potential for creating tens of thousands of jobs while reducing billions in taxpayer expenses.

Rarely is violence against children as premeditated as the attack that left 15 dead and 24 injured at Columbine High School. More typically, it’s a result of young people without constructive, healthy outlets for upsetting feelings either unleashing stored up emotions inward or outward. Parental messages that urge children not to feel what they feel (“Don’t be angry,” “Don’t be sad,” Don’t be scared.”) often lead youngsters to stop confiding in trusted adults, giving more energy to bottled up feelings that can become destructive. Assuring more children grow up with two parents who are actively engaged in their lives within neighborhoods where caring adults are regularly a positive influence is the most important contribution we can make to a future that’s safer for all of our sons and daughters.