M. Robin Dion

Relationship Education for Unmarried Couples with Children: Parental Responses to the Building Strong Families Project

At the time they have children together, most unmarried couples expect to continue their relationships and many hope to marry. The Building Strong Families (BSF) programs aim to help unmarried couples achieve these aspirations through relationship skills training and by addressing their other family needs, often related to socioeconomic disadvantage. The BSF implementation study of more than 5,000 couples shows that many unmarried couples are interested in relationship-strengthening services, and although some do not follow through with participation, qualitative data suggest that participants appreciate the chance to learn key skills and find the program meaningful for their relationships. Results of a rigorous experimental evaluation will be forthcoming in 2010.