The Marriage Problem: How Our Culture Has Weakened Families

by James Q. Wilson

There are two Americas. One boasts solid families, well-paying jobs, safe homes, and good education. The other has children raised by one parent, poor neighborhoods, crime, and low-paying jobs. What has caused the divide? In this penetrating study, James Q. Wilson argues that the answer lies in the importance of marriage and the devastating effects of divorce and cohabitation. Wilson's meticulous research shows how the erosion of family life has damaged children's futures, leading to school dropouts, teenage pregnancy, and a greater likelihood of emotional problems, drug use, and criminal activity. With precision and persuasiveness, he reveals the sources of today's crisis -- from the glittering ideals of the Enlightenment to the shameful practice of American slavery -- while also offering bold solutions. Incisive, intelligent, and thought-provoking, The Marriage Problem is a clarion call to rebuild the family, and society, by returning a solid marital structure to its core.

Genres: Marriage, Sociology

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

James Q. Wilson was one of the leading contemporary criminologists in the United States. Wilson, who has taught at several major universities during his academic career, has also written on economics and politics during his lengthy career. During the 1960s and 1970s, Wilson voiced concerns about trying to address the social causes of crime. He argued instead that public policy is most effective when it focuses on objective matters like the costs and benefits of crime. Wilson views criminals as rational human beings who will not commit crimes when the costs associated with crime become impractical.

James Q. Wilson most recently taught at Boston College and Pepperdine University. He was Professor Emeritus of Management and Public Administration at UCLA and was previously Shattuck Professor of Government at Harvard University. He wrote more than a dozen books on the subjects of public policy, bureaucracy, and political philosophy. He was president of the American Political Science Association, and he is the only political scientist to win three of the four lifetime achievement awards presented by the APSA. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, in 2003.

Professor Wilson passed away in March of 2012 after battling cancer. His work helped shape the field of political science in the United States. His many years of service to his American Government book remain evident on every page and will continue for many editions to come.

Reviews

[platkat · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was every bit as sexist and oppressive as I expected it to be, just another log on the fire of men making judgments on what women should do to improve their lives. Before I start sounding all femiragey, I should point out that the book isn't really about people like me. It mostly discusses the problems with having illegitimate children at an early age, how minorities are at a higher risk, and the prevalence of divorces. Like most works of its kind it makes two hideously incorrect assumptions:

1) All women want to have children.
2) All single people are feverishly awaiting the day they won't be single anymore.

As someone who has many real scars that can be sourced back to bittersweet relationships from days gone by, I can honestly say my single days are the happiest days. Some of us want to live honest, productive lives without marriage or children. Hey, it happens.

I'm afraid that the people who could benefit most from this book won't ever read it: the teenagers in poorly-funded schools who are products of this "marriage problem". Their role models are sparse and unreliable, and they aren't getting the proper resources to succeed.

The book's intellectual, high-horse point-of-view will most likely be read only by white people from middle-class nuclear families who want to confirm what they already believe. The author doesn't really answer the question, "So what?" so I'm going to suggest not reading this book and spend your time helping a troubled teen instead.

[Chrisanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bumped into Wilson during a couple of reads of Jonathan Sacks and Stephen Carter. Since I think highly of the latter two, I thought I might like him. Glad I was right.

Some people claim that this book is anti-feminist. I wouldn't really call it that. I would say that the stats (especially 20 years ago) just didn't point in the direction that the feminists wanted. And the research is quite thorough. He doesn't really just look at one side. He always looks at both sides and then provides the most recent or most solidly supported scholarly research. The book is definitely dated(updating the stats on Hispanic culture may be needed) but, when compared with more recent work like Marriage and Caste in America: Separate and Unequal Families in a Post-Marital Age, you can see where we've ended up.

However, where Wilson succeeds in comparison to the latter is in his answer to the "why" question. Hymowitz does a good job explaining what, and how, and a potential solution, but Wilson really delves into the reasoning behind current actions and explores the history of marriage in Western, Eastern, and Southern cultures. I also loved his treatment of racism and its effects.

Worth the read. Gives me higher hopes for his other books.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

8.5/10

[Fred R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serious, thoughtful, well supported. Everything you expect from James Q. Wilson.