Poverty and Couple Relationships

SUMMARY Previous welfare policies have discouraged men from assuming active roles with their partners and children, leaving many single-mother families without the relational and financial involvement of men. In an effort to inform social policy, this study explores the impact of economic, human and relationship capital on couple relationships. Focus groups, conducted with 95 low-income African-American and White adults, revealed that economic security, relationship skills, employment support, fathering classes, and couples counseling are critical to successful couplehood. Based on these findings, we suggest that family policies be designed to strengthen at-risk couple relationships by promoting sustained father-family attachment, bolstering men's employment and educational opportunities, and providing parenting and relationship skills training.