Secrets to a Healthy Marriage in Male-Female Relationships

Hosted by the Learning Institute of Family Education, November 13, in Southfield

DETROIT—November 8, 2004--The Learning Institute of Family Education (LIFE) will present the Secrets to a Healthy Marriage in Male-Female Relationships workshop on Saturday, November 13, 2004, from 5 - 10 p.m. at the Best Western Hotel, located at 26111 Telegraph Road, in Southfield, MI. The program is focused on helping couples that are married, engaged, living together, separated, and those who have remarried. The intent of the program is to help couples and individuals develop the skills and knowledge necessary to form and sustain healthier and happier marriages to strengthen their families for the well-being of children. Research demonstrates that two-parent, married families represent an ideal environment for raising children. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, African American (AA) marriage statistics are at crisis level for rates of divorce and non-married child-bearing:

·         41% of African-American adults are married, compared to 62% of whites & 60% of Hispanics (2000)

·         Twenty-three divorces per 1000 AA couples per year, 19 for whites (1990)

·         69% of AA births are to unmarried women, compared to 25% for whites and 42% for Hispanics (1998)

·         55% of AA children live with single parents, compared to 23% of white children and 31% of Hispanic children (1998)

The workshop will use practical approaches, including role-play, discussion, and analysis of the marriage vows through music and video. The topics will include: ways to promote "oneness" in their marriage, how to grow together spiritually, ways to develop skills and habits necessary for a good marriage, explore roles and responsibilities of  men and women, discuss communications skills, money, and sex, learn the common areas of conflict within a marriage,  how to affair-proof relationships, and conflict resolution/problem solving.

A welcome address will be provided by Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence and Michigan Department of Families Independent Agency (FIA) Deputy Director Patrice Eller. Couples who have been married from five years to 32 years will make up the marriage couples panel, which includes: Ron James and Michelle May, A M May & Associates; Robert and Paris Williams, Psychological Consultation; Minister Bernard Cook, Response Time Computers; Mary C. Taylor, LIFE; Charles and Paulette Means, Hartford Baptist Church; Harold and Brenda Sullivan, WLQV Radio; and Vassel and Judy Lewis. Pianist Danny Williams will provide musical interludes throughout the evening.

The program will kick off at 5 p.m. with a reception, registration, and refreshments. It will run until 10 p.m. ending with a discussion on the marriage vows and the symbols that reinforce them. Tickets are $60 per couple and $30 per individual, and are available at www.lifefam.org. For more information, call 313-342-0006.

                LIFE is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in Detroit that specializes in relationship skills and marriage education programs to strengthen African American families within the community.