Chapter 5, Marriage and Its Consequences Summary and Analysis

Erickson and Haley both admit that not all young adults want to marry. The author does not mention the issue of whether or not to parent when he mentions the matter of marriage. Next, Haley writes that the majority of the young adults who the therapist meets with do want to marry; that is, they do want to proceed into the lifestyle of becoming and being married parents. Addressing their fears and insecurities while helping them to make some needed transformations are all part of the therapy for those who want this. Why they were resisting any of these could also readily become part of the therapy.

One of the most prominent facts about this chapter is that sexual difficulties early in a marriage are a common and readily treatable problem. Often enough...