Daly Focus Blog
Pundits and analysts continue to weigh in on the recent Pew Report that concluded marriage is becoming increasingly obsolete and irrelevant.
As you can imagine, I hold to a significantly different perspective. Fortunately, many of you do as well. I’ve been particularly heartened by the robust response to my thoughts, which can be viewed by clicking here.
As I shared just a day after USA Today declared marriage to be going the way of powdered wigs, the report doesn’t quite tell the whole story.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
On Thursday, USA Today published a story highlighting new research from the Pew Center claiming marriage to be obsolete.
A gross exaggeration?
You think?
Christianity Today very graciously invited a response and just published it in today’s online edition.
I would welcome your thoughts and reaction.
To view the piece as it appears in CT, please click here or simply continue reading below…
Marriage in Obsolescence
Why recent headlines on marriage don’t do the new Pew survey justice.
Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, marriage by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
I am not a music aficionado by any measure, but somebody recently reminded me that it was the old British rock group, The Kinks, who once popularized the following lament:
Well I met a pretty girl, as pretty as can be
I thought she was my baby till she introduced to me
A great big tall fella, about six foot tall
I shivered and I shook, couldn’t do any more
‘Cause I’m a lover not a fighter…
It’s just a silly song, of course, but I think this idea, that lovers can’t be fighters, is, in many ways, a faulty concept that’s been culturally ingrained.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, marriage by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
I’m headed to Atlanta this morning to participate in Focus on the Family’s Celebrate Family Tour. Tonight’s event is featuring the hilarious comedian, pastor and teacher, Mark Gungor. Mark is one of the most sought-after speakers on marriage and family in the country. If you’re in the area and would like to attend, please know we’d love to greet and host you this evening.
Before I go, though, I wanted to invite you to listen to today’s broadcast.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, husband, marriage, wife by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
I want to briefly share something exciting with you.
Each day, a team member here at Focus on the Family compiles what we internally refer to as a “Response Report” regarding the daily radio broadcast. Our phone representatives talk with thousands of listeners per day, and they record what people are thinking and saying about the day’s radio program. Some of the callers are blunt and don’t hesitate to criticize the program; still others might praise the very same one.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, marriage by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
It sounds like the opening line of a classic Dr. Seuss kid’s book, doesn’t it?
Who is wooing you?
When it comes to romantic relationships, I think there’s a tendency to see “wooing” as primarily a component of courtship prior to marriage. It’s a familiar scene, isn’t it? There is the boyfriend, flowers and chocolates in hand, maybe even leaving a little love note under his girlfriend’s windshield wiper at work. A colleague of mine, while dating his then girlfriend, now wife, would bring groceries to her apartment in between paychecks.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, family, marriage, pop culture by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
The local newspaper usually reflects the heartbeat of the community.
Usually, though not always.
The Colorado Springs Gazette is our hometown publication. They do a great job covering our area despite the fact they have a shrinking staff of writers. Last week, the libertarian minded editorial board officially endorsed same-sex marriage. The editors graciously offered me an opportunity to respond in this past Sunday’s edition.
Here is the essay; I welcome your thoughts.
Marriage is as Much a Responsibility as a Fundamental Right
By Jim Daly
The Gazette’s recent endorsement of gay marriage makes the same mistakes on a number of issues that we’re accustomed to seeing from active proponents for the issue.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: homosexuality, kids, marriage by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
I last shared Dr. Gottman’s six predictors of marital success and happiness. Here now are his top warning signs of coming marital strife:
1. Harsh Start of Arguments
The partner who starts the argument is aggressive or hostile, is insulting, attacks his partner’s character, uses sarcasm, shows contempt or disgust—all of which lead to escalation or withdrawal.
2. Criticism
Attacking character or traits, instead of addressing the problem specifically.
3. Contempt
Disgust, disrespect, condescension, sarcasm, eye-rolling.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: divorce, marriage, relationships by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker’s decision this past Wednesday nullifying the votes of 7 million Californians was, obviously, deeply troubling. The appeal process will be costly and lengthy, but those of us committed to marriage should be optimistic and hopeful. Our own analysts have carefully studied the ruling and fully expect the decision to be overturned upon appeal.
Nevertheless, you might be wondering why the Proposition 8 decision, an issue presumably only dealing with the state of California, should matter to every person in every state of the union.
Topics: Current Events Tags: homosexuality, marriage, policy by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Somebody once said there are two types of married couples – those who argue (from time to time) and those who lie and say they don’t.
There was an interesting article in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal that suggests it’s not if we argue, but how we argue that will determine the overall health of our marriages.
All couples disagree – it’s how they disagree that makes the difference,” reports Howard Markman, professor of psychology at the University of Denver and co-director of the Center for Marital and Family Studies.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: husband, marriage, wife by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.Home
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