Is There a Problem?

● Affairs ● Mid-life crisis ● Emotional abuse ● Physical abuse ● Addictions ● Workaholism

● Fight fairly ● My way or the highway ● Looking outside for solutions ● Disposable society ● Expectations of marriage

● Single parent households ● Crimes and teen pregnancies ● Poverty

● The married couple ● Children ● Stepchildren

● Henry VIII ● The Roman Catholic Church ● The Church of England

● In the US: – Marriage rate: 6.8 per 1,000 total population – Divorce rate: 3.4 per 1,000 total population ● In Utah – Marriage rate: 9.5 per 1,000 total population – Divorce rate: 3.6 per 1,000 total population

In 1970 California established law Easy Out What should be done?

Abolishment of “No Fault” Law Divorces should be more difficult Unless in cases of: Cheating Violence Other types of abuse

Help spouses see possible problems Most effective when: Spouses are open to new ideas Spouses truly want to repair the marriage

31% lower divorce rate As little as 8hrs of counseling Covered By most healthcare providers

Agrees to pre-marital counseling More rigid terms in the marriage Counseling is required before a divorce can occur Successful covenant marriage States: Louisiana Arkansas Arizona

Not condemning anyone Just addressing the whole problem How fast that rate is climbing Divorce has become “Way Too Accessible”

No-Fault Divorce Laws No legitimate reason Hundreds of families being split apart Many kids have a hard time dealing

Pre-marital counseling before Marriage Having Martial counseling an option Implementation of “Covenant Marriage”

Need legitimate reasons More accountability A huge decision in life should be treated as such

Before you give divorce a chance Think Twice Work Hard