American Families of Faith

“What does the practice of hijab (or veiling) mean to Muslims in the United States? ...In a spirit of fostering awareness, understanding, and respect for those of another faith, we share with you what our interview participants themselves entrusted to us, in their own voices."

Loren Marks reads the article, "Behind the Veil: Meanings of Hijab for Muslim Wives and Husbands in the United States" which was originally published in Meridian Magazine on July 16, 2018.

"More than 100 years after family home evening was conceived, it has taken on new relevance in a modern, fast-paced culture. ... [interview participants] routinely brought up the difficulties of maintaining familial closeness as technology and media have hastened the pace of life."

David Dollahite reads the article, "Mormons’ Weekly Family Ritual Is an Antidote to Fast-Paced Living" which was originally published in The Atlantic on March 29, 2018.

"We have gleaned 10 one-liners that have left us pondering the world’s most profound job: that of parent. "

Loren Marks reads the article, "Living Into Fatherhood" which was originally published in RealClearReligion on June 15, 2018.

"As people abandon religious institutions, they start expecting romantic relationships to satisfy a host of needs that formerly were satisfied through religion."

David Dollahite reads the article, "The Burdensome Myth of Romantic Love" which was originally published in First Things on February 14, 2018.

"Religion both generates and helps with what we call relational struggles in families. ...In this article, we investigate...the first half of this duality—that religion is associated with (and may even create) several relational struggles and problems when we do not live our faith out wisely."

Loren Marks reads the article, "Understanding the Relationship Struggles in Religious Households" which was originally published in Meridian Magazine on April 4, 2018.

"Youth and young adults are very interested in talking with their parents about spiritual and religious matters—especially if parents are willing to actually have a conversation rather than another “parent-preaching” session."

David Dollahite reads the article, "How to Have a Positive Religious Conversation with Your Youth" which was originally published in Meridian Magazine on January 23, 2018.

Seven Jewish-inspired ideas to help us more fully delight in the Sabbath.

Loren Marks reads the article, "Making the Sabbath a Delight: Seven Lessons from Strong Jewish Families" which was originally published in Meridian Magazine on February 20, 2018.

"The Lord views Sabbath observance as a path toward spiritual joy and pleasure and He desires for us to approach Sabbath observance with an attitude of delightful enjoyment. [We] can learn from our Jewish friends about how to make the Sabbath a delight by together choosing ways to make it special, joyous, spiritual and peaceful."

David Dollahite reads the article, "Sabbath Observance: Families Can Learn to Make the Sabbath 'A Delight'" which was originally published in Church News on December 23, 2015.

In this episode, we introduce ourselves to our listeners. We are a couple of guys who grew up in California and Oregon and are now professors of family life at Brigham Young University. We study how couples and families from many faiths draw on their religious beliefs, spiritual practices, and faith communities to strengthen their marriage and family life.

In this episode, we discuss the general life strengths, marital strengths, and parenting strengths of Muslim families. Our experience was that many of the families who shared their homes and stories with us were of a quality of character that any neighborhood or nation might welcome. Their relationships seemed structured but strong; hierarchical but warm. For many of these families, actively living what they believe and teach to their children is extremely important. They feel that Allah is involved in their daily struggles and marriage is a gift. 

If you’d like more insight into how religious families draw on their spiritual beliefs to strengthen their marital relationships and parenting, check out our public scholarship articles at Public Square Magazine.