Alone Together

How Marriage in America Is Changing

Paul R. Amato, Alan Booth, David R. Johnson, Stacy J. Rogers

ISBN 9780674032170

Publication date: 03/31/2009

Most observers agree that marriage in America has been changing. Some think it is in decline, that the growth of individualism has made it increasingly difficult to achieve satisfying and stable relationships. Others believe that changes, such as increasing gender equality, have made marriage a better arrangement for men as well as women.

Based on two studies of marital quality in America twenty years apart, this book takes a middle view, showing that while the divorce rate has leveled off, spouses are spending less time together—people may be “bowling alone” these days, but married couples are also eating alone. Indeed, the declining social capital of married couples—including the fact that couples have fewer shared friends—combined with the general erosion of community ties in American society has had pervasive, negative effects on marital quality.

At the same time, family income has increased, decision-making equality between husbands and wives is greater, marital conflict and violence have declined, and the norm of lifelong marriage enjoys greater support than ever.

The authors conclude that marriage is an adaptable institution, and in accommodating the vast changes that have occurred in society over the recent past, it has become a less cohesive, yet less confining arrangement.

Praise

Alone Together is an immensely useful book. It deals with an important topic by drawing on a unique data set, analyzing and interpreting the data in a very sophisticated fashion and presenting the results in clear, straightforward prose. The book is dense with useful and interesting information, and the authors have made a very important contribution. They are masters at what they do.

—Norval Glenn, The University of Texas at Austin
This is the best and most comprehensive examination available of how the institution of marriage in America has changed over the past few decades.

—David Popenoe, International Journal of Sociology of the Family
One of the most comprehensive studies of marriage.

—Sue Shellenbarger, Wall Street Journal
The authors find increasing separateness in aspects of marital life, along with maintained or even increased stability and commitment to the relationship. The details hold as much interest as the big picture...[A] landmark, authoritative, complex but readable study...This book offers a wealth of useful information to professional helpers, clergy, judges, policy makers, and general readers. A cornucopia of data and ideas, it is a boon to everyone who wants to know what is going on at home in America.

—E. James Lieberman, PsycCritiques
[Alone Together] makes an important and timely contribution to the current debate about the meaning of marriage in American society...For teachers and researchers in marriage and family studies, this book is an extremely valuable resource.

—Susan D. Stewart, American Journal of Sociology

Authors

Paul R. Amato is Professor of Sociology at The Pennsylvania State University.
Alan Booth is Professor of Sociology at The Pennsylvania State University.
David R. Johnson is Professor of Sociology at The Pennsylvania State University.
Stacy J. Rogers is Professor of Sociology at The Pennsylvania State University.