ABSTRACT
Governments are dealing with a rapidly changing social environment. Responding to the challenge of preventing marriage breakdowns, the government has developed policies and established programs in the private arena. This chapter argues that the government is attempting to regulate the uncertainty of marriage in various ways, particularly by attempting to reshape the institution of marriage itself through the implementation of new social programs. It investigates recent reforms pursued by the Australian federal government, which seek to assist the survival of marriage by regulating gender relations. The chapter examines two developments. First, a national scheme designed to strengthen marital relationships by intervention and prevention strategies has recently been piloted. Second, another reform proposes training for marriage celebrants so that they can promote the ideals of marriage to couples intending to marry. The chapter discusses the changing values and perceptions of marriage. This provides a context within which to interpret and evaluate pre-marriage education programs and reforms for marriage celebrants.
