title: Optimistic or quixotic? More data on marriage and relationship education programs for lower income couples.
abstract: Replies to comments made by Hawkins et al. (see record 2013-04752-002) on the author's original article (see record 2012-08242-001). I am gratified and encouraged that such an esteemed group of relationship scientists as Hawkins et al. I want to continue the discussion of government-supported marriage and relationship education (MRE) programs for lower income couples by responding to my article (Johnson, May-June 2012). In their comment, they argued that there are data that support the efficacy of MRE programs for disadvantaged couples and that the benefits of these programs outweigh the costs. My response to both of these points follows.
authors: Department of Psychology, Binghamton University, NY 13902-6000, USA. mjohnson@binghamton.edu
authors: Matthew D
authors: MD
authors: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004505:Education, Nonprofessional / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D006078:Government Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008393:Marriage / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D011203:Poverty / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000208:ethnology