Pre-marriage education
. . .help beat the divorce odds
Almost every couple getting married wants their marriage to be a fulfilling, life-enriching experience both for themselves and their partner.
However, Tasmanian couples face more demands on their relationship with fewer supports than previous generations.
Nearly, 48,000 divorces were granted in Australia during 2007, according to data provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
This is the largest fall in 20 years and it may be put down to couples being older - and therefore more mature when they marry. The election-year was also cited as being economically vibrant, making people happier and therefore contributing to lower divorce rates.
Most Australian couples in the twenty-first century are expected to build a life for themselves, manage two careers and raise a family with less support than their parents received.
Couples can, at times, feel overwhelmed by the stress of life in a relationship where there is the pressure of work, a mortgage, credit card bills, children and managing relationships with in-laws.
This means that couples need to have well developed communication and conflict resolution skills and be able to work effectively as equal partners in the decision making process.
Research has demonstrated that an effective skill-based pre-marriage education program can reduce the risk of divorce by 30 percent and can add to the possibility of a happier marriage. It seems that the most effective period for couples to do a pre-marriage education program is during the year leading up to their wedding through to six months after the wedding.
Anglicare Tasmania offers workshops for couples who are starting a relationship, getting married or want to enhance their relationship.
The workshops provide couples with an enjoyable, relevant and inexpensive way to enjoy the benefits of improved relationship satisfaction, increased positive communication skills and a sense of well being.
The Workshops for Couples program is offered on Tuesday evenings at Anglicare 18 Watchorn Street Hobart. The next 4 week course starts on 4 November 2008. Program cost is $90.00 per couple.
For further information contact Anglicare or phone 6213 3574.