This book remedies this situation by closely examining the problems facing couples in conflict in terms of the dramatic social, legal, and sexual changes which have occurred since the last war; the nature of marital problems; the roles and tasks of the social worker attempting to contribute to the resolution of these difficulties; the different approaches to marital therapy which the social worker might adopt. It also discusses ‘conciliation’ as an approach which is uniquely suited viii Couples, conflict, and change to working with problems arising out of marital difficulties. In addition the book provides a succinct summary of the legal framework relating to marriage and marital breakdown.