These principles, as outlined by Theodora Ooms at the Center for Law and Social Policy, are to guide the development of this encouraging family formation and father involvement curriculum. Facilitators and program managers need to be very cognizant of the importance of "doing no harm" to the individuals and families who participate in this prevention program.

• Public promotion of marriage must be careful not to stigmatize single individuals or single parents, must acknowledge the realities of domestic violence, and should point out that some marriages should never begin and others are better ended.
• Coercive and punitive policies should never be used to promote marriage.
• Information, educational services, and supports should be available to strengthen relationships between parents whether they are married or not married.
• Community level initiatives should invite low-income couples, representing the racial and ethnic backgrounds prevalent in the community, to help design and shape activities, and assure that they are adapted to the needs and circumstances of the populations they are intended to help.
• While it is appropriate to remove existing financial disincentives to marriage, offering substantial monetary rewards to individuals to marry would be unwise policy since immediate financial gain should not be the sole or even principal reason for marriage.
• Strengthening marriage initiatives should aim to target couples at highest risk, and especially at vulnerable or magic moments when they are most ready and willing to get help.
• Strategies should focus on improving the quality of the marriage or the couple's relationship, not solely preserving its stability.