With strapped wallets, tightened belts and the national unemployment rate nearing double-digits, we can only hope that rumors of the recession's demise prove true—and soon. Here at YourTango, we wanted to know how the economic downturn in the U.S. has affected dating, marriage, sex and family already, and which of these changes will stick when the recession's over. 

Getting Hitched

Andrew Cherlin, author of The Marriage-Go-Round: The State of Marriage and the Family in America Today, says that since people tend to pull together during a crisis, it wouldn't be surprising to see an overall rise in the marriage … Read More

"Eventually, money affects every part of a romantic relationship. Where you live, where you eat, where you vacation, where your kids go to school and what car you drop them off in," says Bethany Palmer of The Money Couple, who co-wrote First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage with her husband. The tricky part is knowing at what point financial matters should enter your relationship and how to broach the topic.

"Finances are an intimate part of life and you may get resistance when you first mention the topic. You don't want to jump the gun and talk … Read More

Times are tough and, these days, jobs are lost as regularly as kids lose their baby teeth. In a relationship, when one partner becomes unemployed, it can be a challenge to stay upbeat and supportive.

One YourTango user came to us for advice on the matter. We asked the experts behind our new video series Still Life Love Advice to tell us: how do you save money and your relationship when your love gets laid off?

For more on the subject, read 10 Tips For Saving A Marriage After Job Loss.

Does your love life need advice? Send your … Read More