Fighting for Your African American Marriage [Paperback]

Keith E. Whitfield (Author), Howard J. Markman (Author), Scott M. Stanley (Author), Susan L. Blumberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 2001

Fighting for Your African American Marriage gives you solid solutions to the challenges your marriage faces every day. The book contains a unique perspective and presents the powerful, proven strategies of the highly acclaimed PREP(Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program) approach for helping black couples beat the odds and master the skills that can prevent marital distress and divorce.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Adhering to the blueprint of their highly successful Fighting for Your Marriage: Positive Steps for Preventing Divorce and Preserving a Lasting Love (1994), the authors outline the "Four Key Patterns That Destroy Oneness" (escalation; invalidation, withdrawal and avoidance; negative interpretation), the "Speaker/Listener Technique" for clarifying problems and methods of "Problem Solving," with "Ground Rules for Handling Conflict." Readers learn to distinguish between issues and events and to recognize the need for commitment, forgiveness, intimacy, friendship, sex and fun in a successful relationship. Brief anecdotes and conversations bring an immediacy and familiarity to the text, and exercises at the end of each chapter provide practice. With the inclusion of Whitfield, Pennsylvania State University professor of behavioral health and the only African-American among the authors, this work sensitively and forthrightly addresses the "special issues" and concerns of African-American couples, which include "the pressures of racism... stereotyped gender roles... the extended family of kin and non-blood relations... the special role of the church" as well as economic issues and concerns "regarding interracial intimacy." The breadth of class and occupation covered enriches the book, as does the recognition that marital problems in couples of any race or ethnicity may involve where to have dinner or what video to rent. An eminently readable and practical guide. (Oct.)Forecast: Following the success of the team's other titles (A Lasting Promise: A Christian Guide to Fighting for Your Marriage, Becoming Parents: How to Strengthen Your Marriage As Your Family Grows and Fighting for Your Empty Nest Marriage), sales should be sound.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

Adhering to the blueprint of their highly successful Fighting for Your Marriage: Positive Steps for Preventing Divorce and Preserving a Lasting Love (1994), the authors outline the "Four Key Patterns That Destroy Oneness" (escalation; invalidation, withdrawal and avoidance; negative interpretation), the "Speaker/Listener Technique" for clarifying problems and methods of "Problem Solving," with "Ground Rules for Handling Conflict." Readers learn to distinguish between issues and events and to recognize the need for commitment, forgiveness, intimacy, friendship, sex and fun in a successful relationship. Brief anecdotes and conversations bring an immediacy and familiarity to the text, and exercises at the end of each chapter provide practice. With the inclusion of Whitfield, Pennsylvania State University professor of behavioral health and the only African-American among the authors, this work sensitively and forthrightly addresses the "special issues" and concerns of African-American couples, which include the "the pressure of racism--stereotyped gender roles--the extended family of kin and non-blood relations--"the special role of the church" as well as economic issues and concerns "regarding interracial intimacy." The breadth of class and occupation covered enriches the book, as does the recognition that marital problems in couples of any race or ethnicity may involve where to have dinner or what video to rent. An eminently readable and practical guide. (Publishers Weekly, September 10, 2001)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (September 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787955515
• ISBN-13: 978-0787955519
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #736,091 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Avoids overly technical language and gets to the nitty gritty, June 30, 2006

By 

Black Children's Books "Lisa Slade Martin, PhD" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fighting for Your African American Marriage (Paperback)

The concepts in Fighting for Your African American Marriage are based on psychological principals of male/female relationships, but sensitively adapted to the typical experiences of middle-class black couples. Keith Whitfield has obviously spent a lot of time with black couples, and seems to understand both the men and the women. The book expertly addresses issues of modern vs. traditional gender roles, staying on track during both petty and serious arguements, dealing with anger, and issues of committment, forgiveness, and sex, and avoiding divorce. Exercises at the end of chapters help us practice what we learn.

4.0 out of 5 stars Marriage/relationships, February 23, 2011

By 

1-Jazzman "Hank" (Akron, OH USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fighting for Your African American Marriage (Paperback)

Great book for couples who are interested in having a healthy
marriage; this book deals with real issues that couples face, and gives practical insights on how to effectively resolve problems.
The examples that deal with African-American situations are
realistic and right on point. I have also read the other book,
"Fighting For Your Marriage", by these authors, and this book
is a welcome expansion of the information presented; a great
guide for all, and African-Americans in particular.