Bellwork  Define all content and academic vocabulary for Chapter 30 using your textbook on p586 & 592 {10 words total}  On the same sheet of paper, complete p206 in your workbook. WRITE THE PARAGRAPH AND UNDERLINE THE ANSWERS THAT FILL IN THE BLANKS  You have a TEST Friday/Monday on Chapters 29-30

1a. Why are strong marriages important?  People who are married are healthier than single people  They tend to be wealthier and happier  Successful marriages are apt to have successful children  Marriage gives many protections under the law  Society is stronger when marriage and family life are strong and stable

1b. Five traits of strong, happy marriages  Realistic Expectations  Commitment  Acceptance  Flexibility  Thoughtfulness

2. When Partners truly want the relationship to last, they act to make this happen. They work together to overcome problems. They take satisfaction in finding solutions. Such couples have high levels of marriage commitment - a desire to make a marriage work. 3. A strong commitment means that partners put each other first.

Realistic Expectations 4. One of the most important factors in what makes a happy marriage is having realistic expectations. An expectation is a belief or mental picture of the future. A lot of couples go into marriage with higher expectations than can be met which leads to frustration and problems. 5. One source of unrealistic expectations is the way couples are portrayed in the media. Most of these couples appear happy and live with little conflict. Some couples believe that getting married means that their problems will disappear. Every marriage has problems. Couples have to expec t problems and be ready to work together to solve them.

Acceptance/Respect Differences  6. Partners in a strong marriage accept and value each other for who they are.  7. Married couples need to respect each other’s differences. Don’t try to change the other person because people will only change if they want to, not because someone else tells them they should.

8. Many family scientists have studied happiness and satisfaction in marriage. They found a pattern called the U— shaped curve. EBDAC

U-shaped Curve  9.During the first years of marriage, a couple sets their daily pattern of living. They adjust to each other’s needs and habits and tend to be very satisfied. Marital satisfaction drops with the birth of the couple’s first child. Marital satisfaction also lowers when children start school and then lowers again when children are teenagers. It rises when children leave home and resources are more plentiful. It continues to increase by middle age and can surpass the satisfaction that is felt by newlyweds.

Assignment  Complete handout “Practice Marriage Qualities”  Turn in to class drawer

Notes for 30.2  Important skills for a strong marriage:  Knowing how to resolve conflicts  The ability to communicate well  Share intimacy (talk about problems you would not share with anyone else)  Make major decisions together  Manage family finances together

Managing family finances:  Talk about money  Make a financial plan and stick to it  Establish priorities  Assign financial responsibility to the one who handles it better  Always save some money

Resources for married couples  Family & Friends  Marriage Enrichment  Marriage Counseling