Exploring Marriages and Families: Connects theory to reality. Exploring Marriages and Families uses compelling real-life video interviews, stories, and photos to help connect social theory to reality. Readers learn how social, cultural, and political factors will affect their own decision making in relationships. Upon finishing this book, readers will understand the relevance of social science to their lives and have a solid theoretical, research-based understanding of marriages and families. In addition, this book helps readers learn more about their own lives and those of others, how to make better decisions about their relationships, and how social and political forces will affect their decision-making. Integrated video interviews, photos, assessments and stories about real families help readers learn how to apply information to their own lives.