The government, he said, could finance "premarital education services for low-income couples."

But except for low-income couples, full relief never arrives.

We want to help couples, especially low-income couples, manage conflict in healthy ways.

The findings in the study also show that the likelihood that a low-income couple will marry after a child's birth increases with the mother's education level.

The study specifically evaluated the impact of relationship education classes delivered to more than 5,000 low-income, unwed couples at 12 locations in seven states.

The one provision that does focus on needy families would increase tax credits for low-income married couples with children.

A long-term study of 5,000 low-income couples has found that eight of 10 who have a child together have plans to marry.

For low-income couples, this would undeniably improve the lives of children.

"Because low-income working couples face the greatest needs, families with very low incomes levels would be eligible immediately," Mr. Bush said.

In terms of actual numbers, these relationships are most frequent among low-income couples, with or without children.