Dr. Waite is the Lucy Flower Professor in Urban Sociology at the University of Chicago and Director for the Center of Aging at the National Opinion Research Center. Her research focuses on how marriage changes people's behavior in ways that promote economic, emotional and physical well-being. She also has studied the decision to cohabit, the transition from cohabitation to marriage and the characteristics of cohabiting unions. One of her books, The Case for Marriage: Why Married People are Healthier, Happier, and Better Off Financially ( Doubleday 2000), received the 2000 Outstanding Book Award from the Coalition for Marriage, Family and Couples Education.