Beyond the Myth of Marital Happiness

According to psychologist Blaine Fowers, the myth of marital happiness-that good communication, emotional gratification, and intimacy result in a healthy relationship-has made marriages more fragile than ever before and we must let it go. Does this mean that we should give up on love, satisfaction, intimacy, emotional support, good communication, and good sex in marriage? That marriage must be continued solely on the basis of grim commitment? That no one should divorce? Not at all. Instead, Dr. Fowers shows how we can re-envision marriage as a wonderful opportunity to practice the virtues of friendship, loyalty, generosity, and justice in the shared pursuit of our deepest ideals.

THE MYTH. The Guidance of Myth. The Magic Union. How Did We Get Here? A Brief History of a Myth. Marital Therapy, the Science of Marriage, and the Myth. A NEW VISION OF MARRIAGE. Creating the Good Marriage: From Technique to Character. The Virtue of Friendship: Building a Partnership Marriage. The Virtue of Loyalty: Creating a Lasting Marriage. The Virtue of Generosity: Fashioning a Giving Marriage. The Virtue of Justice: Fostering a Fair Marriage. How Can All of Us Work Together to Cultivate Strong Marriages? Notes. About the Author. Index.