WASHINGTON--The Bush administration has proposed spending $1 billion over five years to teach marital skills to poor couples.
The proposal, called the Healthy Marriages Initiative, builds on numerous studies that show children living with both biological parents are healthier and do better in school.
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, said the initiative turns the tide of public policy. "It reverses 30 to 40 years of public policy that actually hurt marriage," he said.
The Bush initiative would teach couples and singles to communicate about four key elements of relationships: chores, parenting, money, and intimacy.
Numerous studies have shown that couples can learn relationship skills, but no scholarly studies so far have shown such programs reduce divorce rates.
The initiative would give states $120 million annually in matching funds. Churches would apply for a separate $120 million annually with no matching requirements.
Clergy are better teachers of marital skills than staff trained in secular programs, according to a recent study. Howard Markman, codirector of marital and family studies at the University of Denver, said that is true because a pastor's position brings trust.
"They can reach out to members of the community and be trusted, because they're held in such high regard," he said.
