MarriageTweets

There are many influences that have shaped, affected or strained black marriages, according to marriage and family experts. Among them: African tribal traditions, the horrors of slavery, racial integration in the U.S. that paved the way to more freedoms and the migrations of thousands of African-Americans that fractured or reshaped communities. Trace the historic migrations of black Americans. ”Moving from one community to another could affect marriage because it disrupts social ties,” says Andrew Cherlin, a professor of sociology and public policy at Johns Hopkins University and author of the landmark book, “The Marriage-Go-Round: The State of Marriage and the Family in America Today.” ”Migration separates people from friends and relatives who could help them through family crisis,” says Cherlin. Black couples in crisis inspired Dr. Rozario Slack and Nisa Muhammad to create Basic Training for Couples. The free eight-week program educates dating, engaged or married couples in groups of five to 15. The lessons cover the value of commitment, responsibility to the black community, psychological differences between the sexes, sexual intimacy and conflict resolution. // related: Black in America 2