This report reviews sociological research pertaining to marriage and family relations among blacks. Mate selection, economics in marriage, sexual relations, and the importance of children are among the topics examined. Observations and hypotheses about black social status are applied to research findings on family life in general, and contrasts are drawn between blacks and whites. Race, sex, age, education, employment and socioeconomic status are reported to be the primary factors that black Americans consider when deciding if and whom to marry. The relation between marital satisfaction and socioeconomic status is held to be stronger for blacks than for whites. Economic strain, marital status, race and the presence of children in the family are said to be stress related factors, and depression is reported to be higher among black couples than among their white counterparts. The report concludes, however, that because of the lack of information about the value systems of blacks and the norms of society in general, any statement regarding the role and attitudes of middle class black families must be considered tentative. (JCD)