Marriage Mediator; The Street Smart Guide to a Successful Marriage
El Dorado Hills, California: OnTrack Publishing, 1999. Presumed First Edition, First printing. Hardcover. 220, [4] pages. Illustrations. DJ has some wear and soiling. Minor endpage soiling noted. Includes Introduction, Conclusion, References, and Index. Chapters cover Marriage, the Myth of Happily Ever After; Gender Differences; Personality Types; Attitudes, Behaviors, and Emotions; Anger and Reconciliation; Arguing Constructively; Communication Is Critical; Intimacy; Marriage Equality; Marriage Hedging; Making Marriage Fun; Conclusion; References; and Index. This book is an accurate, wise, concise, and insightful exploration of the common beliefs and behaviors that drive loving couples asunder, and the realistic steps couples can take to resolve disputes and save their marriage. This is a unique blend of street smarts and academic studies on relationship enhancement, marital issues, and how to resolve them. An accurate, wise, concise, and insightful exploration of the common beliefs and behaviors that drive loving couples asunder, and the realistic steps couples can take to resolve disputes and save their marriages. Starting with "Marriage, the Myth of Happily Ever After," which explores the typical reasons that marriages fail (such as unrealistic expectations, stresses of child-raising, loneliness from unresolved resentment, and power struggles), Schmidt next delves into the controversial topics of gender differences and personality types, looking at the physical and social causes of common gender-based emotional norms and communication needs. For example, after describing the different play styles between girls and boys, Schmidt concludes that "Girls see talking as a way to communicate and express affection and boys use it to dominate and gain respect." But Schmidt doesn't see differences as a necessary marital wedge. With compassion and communication, he says, it strengthens the bond. He discusses anger and reconciliation, how to argue constructively, and why communication is vital. He then wades into the topics of intimacy, sexuality, and the importance of fun in successful married life. The book even has an index, which means that in addition to learning according to Schmidt's logical order of progression, you can look up "sarcasm," "self-esteem," "selfishness," "sex," "shame," or "styles of fighting" for a direct hit of wisdom on the topic of choice. Condition: Very Good / Good.
Keywords: Marriage, Domestic Relations, Gender, Emotions, Arguments, Sexuality, Communication, Reconciliation, Anger, Personality Types, Intimacy
ISBN: 0966498925
[Book #82488]
Price: $35.00