Economic and Political Context

Contextual Resource: Economic and Political Context

Contextual Resource: Economic and Political Context

The policies that are developed by local, state, and national governments have a big impact on
relationships and family life—such as by helping or hindering the availability of job opportunities,
influencing the strength of the economy, setting rules about marriage and divorce, and determining
access to healthcare and other social service resources. Maintaining awareness of these policies,
and possibly advocating for change when they appear to hinder relationships, is important for helping
your relationship to thrive as the economic and political context changes over time.

Strategies for increasing resources in the economic and political context

1. When most people think of intimate relationships, politics is not the first thing that comes to mind.
If that’s the case for you, spend some time thinking about the following questions: Can you think of
some examples of public policies or laws that help or hinder couple relationships? How do you think
that the current economic outlook affects your relationship? What do you think you could do if you
learned about a new public policy that you thought was damaging to your family or relationship?

2. Stay civically engaged! Read the newspaper and watch the news to stay on top of current events
and public policy changes. Attend governmental meetings in your community. Talk with others about
economic and political issues that impact relationships.

3. Learn who your governmental representatives are at the local, state, and national levels, as well as
how you can contact them if you become aware of policies that you do not think are the best for your
relationship or family.

4. Get connected with political or advocacy groups that support the issues that are important to you
and your family.

5. Learn more about your partner’s views about politics and the economy. Even when you disagree
about certain issues, your partner’s viewpoint can provide you with new insights into his or her
understanding of the world.