In the era of "Temptation Island" and "Sex and the City," the prime-time Valentine's Day offering on PBS seems almost anachronistic: an earnest documentary examining the status of marriage in the United States.
But for a loose alliance called the Marriage Movement, the program represents a victory of sorts.
Formed two years ago to bridge the left-right divide over family issues, the coalition of scholars, clergy, family counselors and others tries to promote strong marriages and reduce a U.S. divorce rate estimated at 40%. Step one is getting people to take marriage seriously.
"We want to get a good conversation going with the broader society," said Don Browning, a University of Chicago Divinity School professor who helped found the Marriage Movement and create the PBS documentary "Marriage--Just a Piece of Paper?"
"Marriage developed in the West as a public institution, nourished by religious and cultural traditions," he said. "We may be in the process of dismantling it, and before we do, we ought to think about it."
But what, exactly, should we think? Although polls show most Americans aspire to a lasting, loving marriage, the topic is often divisive, and pivotal questions lack simple answers.
Have no-fault laws made divorce too easy? If there is a marriage crisis, will it correct itself, or are new policies needed? Can government promote marriage without discriminating against unmarrieds?
Several state legislatures recently have ventured into marriage policy, testing initiatives that might reduce divorce without triggering an ideological backlash.
Florida requires marriage education courses in high school. Louisiana, Arkansas and Arizona approved "covenant marriages" in which couples voluntarily limit their ability to divorce. Arizona provides state funds to help couples attend privately run marriage-skills workshops.
Staffan and Jane Berg signed up for one. Both 47, they have been married for nearly 20 years and run a flower shop in Tempe, Ariz. They attended three two-hour sessions on marital communication skills offered by FranklinCovey, a company better-known for workplace training programs.
"We've always been keen on tuning up our marriage," said Staffan Berg. "I don't think anybody can do something for so long without having some continuing education. It helps to hear about the experiences of others."
Berg, a native of Sweden, says the flower business gives him insight into American romance.
