Marriage Union
,Identifying the Issue
Over the years many researchers have concluded that Baby Boomers are responsible for the high level of divorce that has been happening since the 1970’s and presently. It is amazing that there are so many divorces that are taking place in society, which leaves many unanswered questions lingering in the air. However, the most alarming is the vast amount of divorce that is taking place within Christianity (Church). What are the factors that contribute to this high level of divorce within society and the church? How can society and the church contribute to building healthy marriages and family? These are two central questions that this page will hopingly be able to answer as the researcher develop strategies that will help to build health marriages within society.
To understand how to build healthy marriages, one needs to understand the factors that predict marital quality, in other words, healthy marriages. Balswick and Balswick “have identified three major categories of factors that are predictive of marital quality – background and contextual factors, individual traits and behavior, and a couple’s interactions with each other” (Balswick & Balswick 2014). Having an understanding of the factors that does impact the quality of one’s marriage will contribute greatly to a healthier marriage, and less divorces. The Divorce has become a common thing for society; once they realize that there is a problem, the quickest solution is to find a divorce lawyer. Don't be alarmed or surprise that the "D" word has become the easiest word to come out of the Christian mouth once there is a problem. They do not want to mean with their ministers anymore to discuss the issues and work through the problem. Base on research, it is clear that divorce is a cost to society. Vanover (2015), states “A divorce can cause an individual to lose someone who had been one of their biggest supports and possibly create mental difficulties in the adjustment period.” Researchers have also proven that divorce can have an emotional cost to the individuals. "Most people have periods of depression, sadness, anger, and fatigue around the loss of their relationship. Divorces are also financially costly to the individuals and could lead to an inability to support themselves" (Vanover, 2015).
Building healthy marriages require that individuals develop an understanding of the impact of divorce on society, children, spouses and family members. The impact of divorce on children is alarming. Once there is marital satisfaction and or health marriages then children will less like to do drugs. Unhealthy marriages do have an impact on the children, especially when divorces are involved. Building healthy marriages, individuals should also understand what marriage is and what they are getting involved in. There must be an understanding and a differentiation between marriage as a contract, and marriage as a commitment (committed union). Pre-marital counseling is one of the most effective ways in which persons who want to know more about marriage can gather information from. The reading of books can and will also help; however, it is always important if we can get first-hand information from persons who have experienced it and have dealt with many issues within marriages. The high rate of divorce in most Western cultures supports the notion that it is difficult to establish a healthy marriage in a postmodern society (Balswick and Balswick, 2014). Even though research has proven that it is difficult to establish healthy marriages, there must be an understanding of commitment and how commitment and self-understanding contribute to healthy marriages. Too many persons in today’s society get married for the wrong reasons. As a result, they tend to have conflicts that are unresolved early in the marriage. However, this website is so designed to help these person become aware of ways that they can build healthy marriages.
Sources
Balswick, J. O., & Balswick, J. K. (2014). The family: A Christian perspective on the contemporary home. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.
Vanover, B., (2016) "Important Factors in Marital Success and Satisfaction: Marriage Counselors’ Perspectives" Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers.Paper 685. retrieved April 13, 2018 from http://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/685