Duke University Strong Marriage & Family Life Interview Instructions: You are to interview a married couple to gather information about marriage and famil

Duke University Strong Marriage & Family Life Interview Instructions:

You are to interview a married couple to gather information about marriage and family life based on the married couple’s experiences. This is a couple you would consider to have a strong marriage. (You need to think beyond newlyweds or your friends who just got married). Interview questions are below and should be used for the interview. If you have additional questions you are welcome to ask them. You should ask follow-up questions to gain more clarification. Use phrases such as “Can you tell me more?” or “Do you have any further details you can share?” You cannot email these questions; you need to ask the couple in person. Over the phone is okay.

Paper Format:

You will write a minimum 800-1000 word double-spaced paper summarizing the results of your interview, including what you learned from the couple’s response to these questions. You are not just giving me the notes or just their response. Be sure I can easily spot each time what you learn about having a strong marriage based on the couples’ response. Your report should include an APA title page and include the page numbers in the top right corner. Scroll down to page 3 and 4 for formatting examples.

The next page is the interview questions you need to ask: (If you are writing these down, you will need to space out the questions to provide room to write down responses).

Instructions:

You are to interview a married couple to gather information about marriage and family life based on the married couple’s experiences. This is a couple you would consider to have a strong marriage. (You need to think beyond newlyweds or your friends who just got married). Interview questions are below and should be used for the interview. If you have additional questions you are welcome to ask them. You should ask follow-up questions to gain more clarification. Use phrases such as “Can you tell me more?” or “Do you have any further details you can share?” You cannot email these questions; you need to ask the couple in person. Over the phone is okay.

Paper Format:

You will write a minimum 800-1000 word double-spaced paper summarizing the results of your interview, including what you learned from the couple’s response to these questions. You are not just giving me the notes or just their response. Be sure I can easily spot each time what you learn about having a strong marriage based on the couples’ response. Your report should include an APA title page and include the page numbers in the top right corner(heading and page number in upper right corner).

The next page is the interview questions you need to ask: (If you are writing these down, you will need to space out the questions to provide room to write down responses).

Strong Marriage Interview Questions

1. How long have you been married? How did you meet each other? How long did you date each other before you married?

2. What were the main things that attracted you to each other?

3. What advice would you give a person about how to make a good choice of a marriage partner? Why do you think so many people seem to make a poor choice of a marriage partner?

4. In retrospect, how would you assess your readiness for marriage? In other words, how prepared were you for marriage? What advice would you give regarding how to prepare for marriage?

5. In what ways is married life different from dating/courtship? In what ways has married life been different from what you expected?

6. What do you see as 2-3 strengths of your marriage? What strategies can a couple employ to maintain a strong marriage over the years.

7. What are common sources of conflict couples face? What advice do you have for resolving conflicts and personal differences?

8. Do you have any recommendations regarding managing your finances?

9. Is there anything you would like to tell me about sex or sexuality or should we just move on to the next question?

10. How does a couple develop spiritual intimacy? Does it come naturally or is it difficult to achieve?

11. What do you consider to be the top two issues facing families today? (Ask them to expand, give an explanation of why).